Parasite systematics

Question 1

Three domains of life

Answer 1

bacteria
archaea
eukarya

All the parasites we address in this course
are eucaryotes.

Question 2

In what kingdoms are the
parasites of interest to veterinarians?

Answer 2

Animalia & Protista

(and All the parasites we address in this course are eucaryotes.)

Question 3

A cell is defined as eukaryotic if it has a

Answer 3

membrane-bound nucleus.

Question 4

What is mitochondrial DNA?

Answer 4

90% of eukaryote DNA is found in the membrane-bound nucleus, the rest is mitochondrial DNA.

Mitochondrial DNA is the small circular chromosome found inside mitochondria.

Question 5

What is mitochondrial DNA used for (related to this course)?

Answer 5

Used in molecular systematics to determine and distinguish between species.

Question 6

What is DNA barcoding?

Answer 6

In 2003, Paul Hebert, researcher, proposed “DNA barcoding” as a way to identify species.

Barcoding uses a very short genetic sequence from a standard part of the genome the way a supermarket scanner distinguishes products using the black stripes of the Universal Product
Code (UPC).

Two items may look very similar to the untrained eye, but in both cases the barcodes are distinct

Question 7

A gene from mitochondria was selected by the Consortium for the Barcode of Life (CBOL) as the ideal gene for DNA
barcoding animal species, which one was it?

Answer 7

cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1)

Question 8

The CO1 gene codes for a protein that has an essential role in

Answer 8

cellular respiration.

The CO1 gene is present in most eukaryotes.

Question 9

Taxonomy of biological organisms helps us to

Answer 9

define, classify and understand them when we follow a certain hierarchy and order.

Question 10

define taxon

Answer 10

Groups that can be differentiated from each other according to specific traits are called units of taxonomy or taxons (plural: taxa) e.g. canidae.

Question 11

mmemonic for taxonomy order

Answer 11

Dumb King Philip Came Over From Germany, So?

Question 12

„binomial system“

Answer 12

the genus name followed by the specific name - as in Toxocara canis

• the first part, always written with the capital letter in the beginning, indicates the genus the species belongs to and
• the other is the specific name or specific epithet.

NB! The specific epithet is never used alone without the genus name.

If the name has been mentioned correctly in the text once, the next mentions can be written in shortened form: T. canis

Question 13

roundworms belong to what phylum and class

Answer 13

phylum nematodes
class nematoda

Question 14

tapeworms belong to what phylum and class

Answer 14

phylum platyhelminthes
class cestoda

Question 15

flukes belong to what phylum and class

Answer 15

phylum platyhelminthes
class trematoda

Question 16

nematode colloquially

Answer 16

roundworm

Question 17

cestode colloquially

Answer 17

tapeworm

Question 18

trematode colloquially

Answer 18

fluke

Question 19

The acanthocephala, or thorny headed worms, are thought to be

Answer 19

intermediate between the cestodes and nematodes

the adult forms of these worms reside in the gastrointestinal tract of
vertebrates

Question 20

phylum annelida refers to

Answer 20

segmented worms such as leeches

Feed on the blood of vertebrates.

Question 21

parasitic arthropods or phylum arthropoda includes what 2 classes that are covered in this course?

Answer 21

class insecta and class arachnida

Question 22

mites and ticks belong to what class

Answer 22

arachnida

Question 23

fleas, lice, bed-bugs and mosquitoes/flies belong to what class?

Answer 23

insecta