24 Questions
Which type of reproduction involves the union of two sexually differentiated cells?
Gametogony
What is the causative agent of malaria?
Plasmodium
What is the process of multiple fission in which the nucleus undergoes multiple division?
Schizogony
What is the antiprotozoal drug that induces strand breaks in the DNA of sensitive organisms and disrupts membrane integrity?
Metronidazole
Which of the following diseases is caused by Toxoplasma gondii?
Toxoplasmosis
What is the method of reproduction in which two protozoa meet together and exchange their genetic material?
Conjugation
What is the name of the disease caused by the protozoan Giardia intestinalis?
Giardiasis
Which of the following antiprotozoal drugs inhibits folic acid synthesis?
Sulphonamides and trimethoprim
Which of the following types of protozoa is non-motile?
Sporozoates
What is the function of eyespots in protozoa?
To detect changes in light
Which of the following is an example of a Flagellate protozoa?
Trypanosoma
What is the characteristic movement of Flagellates?
Whip-like movement
What is the main locomotory organ in Sarcodina?
Pseudopodia
Which of the following is a pathogenic Ciliate?
Balantidium Coli
What is the mode of nutrition in most protozoa?
Feeding on dead plants and animal debris
What is the basis of classification of Protozoa?
Motility and reproduction
What is the origin of the word 'protozoa'?
Greek word meaning 'first animal'
What is the characteristic of the cytoplasm of protozoa?
It is divided into two layers: Ectoplasm and Endoplasm
What is the function of Ectoplasm in protozoa?
It helps in movement, feeding, and protection
What is the size range of protozoa?
3 to 300 micrometer
What is the characteristic of freshwater protozoa?
They have contractile vacuoles to pump out excess water
What is the function of locomotive organelles in protozoa?
They are involved in movement
What is the nature of most protozoa species?
Most are harmless and free-living
What is the characteristic of protozoa's organelles?
They are highly specialized for feeding, reproduction, and movement
Study Notes
Protozoa
- Protozoa are unicellular (may be multicellular) eukaryotic microorganisms that constitute a large group of about 65,000 species.
- Most protozoa are harmless, free-living, and inhabit water and soil, while a few species are pathogenic, parasitic, and cause hundreds of millions of infections worldwide.
Characteristics
- Protozoa are mostly unicellular organisms with fully functional cells.
- They are chemo-hetrotrops and have locomotive organelles such as flagella and cilia for movement.
- The cytoplasm of protozoa is divided into an outer layer (ectoplasm) and an inner layer (endoplasm).
Morphology
- Protozoa resemble animal cells and contain major cell organelles, including the nucleus and mitochondria.
- The size of protozoa ranges from 3 to 300 micrometers, and a few ciliate and amoeba species are large enough to be seen with the naked eye.
- Except for sporozoates, all types of protozoa are motile through flagella, cilia, or pseudopodia.
- Protozoa have eyespots that detect changes in light.
Nutrition
- Most protozoa feed on dead plants and animal debris, while some feed on bacteria and algae.
- Parasitic protozoa feed on the fluids and tissues of their host.
- Some protozoa live in symbiotic relationships with other plants and animals.
Classification of Protozoa
- Protozoa are classified into four main types based on their motility and method of reproduction: flagellates, ciliates, sarcodina, and sporozoates.
Types of Protozoa
Flagellates
- Flagellates move using flagella, which are whip-like structures.
- Examples of flagellates include Trypanosoma, Leishmania, Giardia, and Trichomonas.
Ciliates
- Ciliates move using cilia, which are fine hair-like structures.
- Most ciliates are harmless, except for Balantidium coli, which is pathogenic and causes dysentery.
Sarcodina
- Sarcodina have pseudopodia, which are false feet, as their major loco-motor organelles.
- Examples of sarcodina include Amoeba, which can be harmless or parasitic.
Sporozoates
- Sporozoates are the only non-motile form of protozoa.
- Examples of sporozoates include Plasmodium, which causes malaria.
Reproduction in Protozoa
- Protozoa can reproduce using both sexual and asexual methods.
- Asexual methods include budding, binary fission, and schizogony (multiple fission).
- Sexual methods include conjugation and gametogony.
Diseases Caused by Protozoa
- Examples of diseases caused by protozoa include malaria (Plasmodium), giardiasis (Giardia intestinalis), amoebic dysentery (Entamoeba histolytica), toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii), and leishmaniasis (Leishmania).
Antiprotozoal Drugs
- Examples of antiprotozoal drugs include chloroquine, mefloquine, and pyrimethamine, which are used to treat malaria.
- Metronidazole is an antiprotozoal drug that induces strand breaks in DNA and disrupts membrane integrity.
- Other antiprotozoal agents include sulphonamides and trimethoprim, which inhibit folic acid synthesis.
Learn about the characteristics of Sporozoates, a group of parasitic protozoa, and the different methods of reproduction in Protozoa, including sexual and asexual methods.
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