Fungi & Parasites I

Question 1

Are fungi & parasites prokaryotes or eukaryotes?

Answer 1

Eukaryotes

Question 2

Are fungi and parasites similar to humans?

Answer 2

Yes

Question 3

Is it difficult to find selective toxic targets for fungi and parasites? Why?

Answer 3

Yes, because they are eukaryotes like us

Question 4

Are fungi and parasites more similar to animals than bacteria and viruses?

Answer 4

Yes

Question 5

Comparing to bacteria, are fungi and parasites more or less advanced and complex?

Answer 5

Yes, more advanced and complex

Question 6

Are fungi larger than bacteria?

Answer 6

Yes

Question 7

What does it mean to say that fungi are heterotrophic by absorption?

Answer 7

The dissolve the world around them, for nutrition

Question 8

What are the two types of fungi?

Answer 8

Filamentous (moulds) and unicellular (yeasts)

Question 9

What is the most common type of infection caused by fungi?

Answer 9

Superficial infections of the skin or mucous membranes

Question 10

Antibiotics are derived from fungi?

Answer 10

True

Question 11

Tinea versicolor is a superficial yeast infection that causes patchy skin discolouration in the tropics

Answer 11

True

Question 12

What is the name of the superficial fungal infection that causes concentric circles on the skin? Where is it common, and what other health history is usually present?

Answer 12

• Tinea imbricata (Trichophyton concentricum)
• PNG
• History of malnutrition/malaria

Question 13

How does a cutaneous skin infection differ from a superficial one?

Answer 13

Cutaneous infections go a bit deeper into the skin

Question 14

What is the name of the fungal infection known as athlete’s foot?

Answer 14

Tinea pedis

Question 15

Is ringworm caused by a worm?

Answer 15

No! It is a fungal infection caused by Tinea corporis

Question 16

What does the fungis Candida albicans cause? How is it commonly caused?

Answer 16

• Oral and vaginal thrush - infection of mucous membranes
• Broad spectrum antibiotics kills normal, protective flora, allows a secondary infection from tinea to thrive

Question 17

Which systemic fungal infection is 90% fatal, affects immunocompromised, spread in pigeon droppings and is a marker disease for aids? What is the name of the disease it causes?

Answer 17

Cryptococcus neoformans - Meningitis

Question 18

How do we reduce fungal infection? Why?

Answer 18

• Fungi are opportunistic
• Decrease levels of fungi with hygiene, open shoes
• Maintain good health eg diet, lifestyle