5A. - 5E. Flashcards
The most important feature that separates amoebas from the other groups of unicellular Protozoa is the [?].
means by which they move
Amoebas are equipped with the ability to extend their cytoplasm in the form of [?], which allows them to move within their environment.
pseudopods
With one exception, there are two morphologic forms in the amoebic life cycle – [?], the form that feeds, multiplies, and possesses pseudopods, and [?] – the nonfeeding stage that is characterized by a thick protective cell wall designed to protect the parasite from the harsh outside environment when deemed necessary.
trophozoites
cysts
It is important to note here that the [?] of trophozoites are basically identical to those of their corresponding cysts.
nuclear characteristics
The [?] of all the intestinal amoeba are similar.
life cycles
The most common means whereby amoebas are transferred to humans is through [?] in contaminated food or water.
ingestion of the infective cyst
In most cases, [?] are easily destroyed by the gastric juices of the stomach.
trophozoites
are also susceptible to the environment outside the host.
Trophozoites
are not usually transmitted to humans.
trophozoites
is the morphologic conversion from the cyst form into the trophozoite form, which occurs in the ileocecal area of the intestine.
Excystation
is the conversion of trophozoites into cyst form.
Encystation
It usually occurs in the intestine when the environment becomes unacceptable for continued trophozoite multiplication.
Encystation
are equipped with a protective cell wall.
cysts
allows cysts to remain viable in the outside environment for a long period of time.
cell wall
The ingestion of the [?] completes the typical intestinal amebic life cycle.
infective cysts
General morphologic characteristics of a typical amoeba:
✓ Relatively [?]
✓ Typically lack [?]
✓ Multiply by [?]
✓ Undergo encystation EXCEPT: [?]
small
contractile vacuoles
binary fission
E. gingivalis
➢ The presence of commensal amoeba in the stool of an individual is significant for two reasons:
- They may be mistaken for the pathogenic E. histolytica
- They are an indication of fecal contamination of food or water
➢ Accurate diagnosis of the [?], is therefore, crucial.
commensal amoeba
➢ Among the numerous free-living amoeba of soil and water habitats, certain species belonging to two genera –[?]– are facultative parasites of man.
Acanthamoeba and Naegleria
➢ Habitat: Stagnant water, brackish and ocean sediments, thermal pools, swimming pools, polluted soil, sewage disposal systems
Acanthamoeba and Naegleria
➢ Usually inhabits the Central Nervous System once it enters a human host
Acanthamoeba and Naegleria
The species of amoeba that are commonly found in human fecal specimens are [?].
E. histolytica, E. dispar, E. hartmanni, E. coli, E. polecki, E. nana, and I. butschlii
E. histolytica, E. dispar, E. hartmanni, E. coli, E. polecki, E. nana, and I. butschlii
They are mainly differentiated on the basis of structure and size, thus, proper determination of the organism size is essential identifying the amoebas.
Sarcodina (Amoeba)
The appearance of key nuclear characteristics, such as the number of nuclei present and the positioning of the nuclear structures is crucial to differentiate the amoebas correctly.
Sarcodina (Amoeba)
The presence of other amebic structures and characteristics such as cytoplasmic inclusions and motility also aids in the identification.
Sarcodina (Amoeba)
It is important to note that only one of the intestinal amoebas, [?], may produce characteristic symptoms, and is universally considered to be a pathogen.
E. histolytica
The flagellates belong to the phylum Protozoa and are members of the subphylum [?].
Mastigophora
The flagellates can be categorized into two groups, [?].
intestinal and atrial
Members of this class lack chromatophores and thus depend on previously manufactured plant and animal foods.
Mastigophora (Flagellates)
Their nutrition is holozoic or parasitic, and their form may be simple or quite complex, but as a rule, they have a single nucleus and a neuromotor apparatus.
Mastigophora (Flagellates)
The neuromotor consists of a blepharoplast, which constitutes the kinetoplast (energizing component), and an axoneme, with or without a free flagellum.
Mastigophora (Flagellates)
The axial structure of the flagellum is a continuation of the [?], which is composed of one or more fibrils.
axoneme
Some species of flagellate protozoa have a rudimentary mouth, the [?].
cytostome
Reproduction is essentially asexual and is by longitudinal binary fission.