11.10 Medical Mycology & Parasitology Flashcards
Why are fungi considered very similar to plants?
- They aren’t
- They’re closer to animals than plants
Are fungi heterotrophs or autotrophs?
Heterotrophs (rely on other organisms for nutrients)
Are fungi eukaryotes or prokaroytes?
Eukaryotes
What structural difference causes antibiotics to be ineffective on fungi?
Difference in cell wall structure
What is the name of the filaments made of multicellular fungi?
Hyphae
is a mass of hyphae called?
Mould/mycelium
How do moulds typically reproduce?
Producing spores (this gives them their fuzzy appearance)
What are yeasts?
Fungi that are unicellular through their life cycle
How do yeast reproduce?
Budding off other yeast cells
Septate vs aseptate hyphae
Septate: separate cells
Aseptate: fungi contain all cell components in undivided mass of cytoplasm
Think: septum -> border
Describe superficial mycosis
- Infection of dead skin and hair
- No living tissue invasion
- No immune response
Describe cutaneous mycosis
- Infection of skin, nails, mucosa
- Minimal invasion of living tissue
- Does elicit host immune response
Describe subcutaneous mycosis
- Infection of skin, muscle, fascia or lymphatic system
- Usually due to traumatic injury
What fungi often causes subcutaneous infection?
Zygomycete fungi
Describe systemic mycosis
- Invasive disseminated infections (multi-organ)
- Often acquired by inhalation (e.g. opportunistic fungi)
- Could also be hospital acquired
- High mortality
What is a parasite?
Organism that resides on or in another living organism in order to gain nutrients for growth and reproduction
Is parasitism the same as disease?
No; doesn’t have to result in disease
Why would you want to be an intracellular parasite?
- Free food/transport
- Relatively sheltered from predators
- Constant environment
Why would you not want to be an intracellular parasite?
- Immune system may kill you
- If the host dies, you may die
- Need an escape plan
Facultative vs obligate intracellular parasites
Facultative: can reproduce outside host cell
Obligate: cannot reproduce outside host cell
