Parasites

Question 1

What is a parasite

Answer 1

An organism that lives on, or in, a host

Question 2

What is the sole goal of parasites

Answer 2

to reproduce and pass on their genes

Question 3

What is the difference between bacteria and parasites

Answer 3

Parasites are much bigger and eukaryotic

Question 4

What is the definition of a primary host

Answer 4

in this host the parasite reaches maturity and will undergo sexual reproduction

Question 5

What is the definition of intermediate host

Answer 5

Host that harbours the parasite for a short transition period during which development occurs. Asexual reproduction may occur but sexual reproduction will not occur.

Question 6

What is a vector

Answer 6

“biting bugs”. provide a means of transmission from host to host

Question 7

What are three differences between Ecto- and Endo- parasites

Answer 7

Ecto: live on the surface of the host, may only be there briefly, and some of them are vectors. Endo: live in the body of host, live in the host for long periods of time, and usually are CARRIED by vectors.

Question 8

What is a NGD

Answer 8

Neglected Tropical Diseases are several parasitic, bacterial, viral diseases that cause substantial illness for more than one billion people globally, but affect only the worlds poorest population.

Question 9

What are 6 different ways the parasite evades the immune system

Answer 9

1.coats itself in the host’s proteins in order to disguise itself
2. Vary its surface antigens: antigenic variation
3. hides inside white blood cell
4. different stages of parasite life have different antigens
5. causes an anti-inflammatory response to suppress immune system
6. cuts antibodies in half

Question 10

What is the difference between antibiotics and antiparasitics

Answer 10

antibiotics attack prokaryotic structures, whereas antiparasitics attack eukaryotic structures

Question 11

Why are antiparasitic drugs so hard to find and why are they so risky

Answer 11

they are risky because they attack eukaryotic structures, which include humans. In order to prevent this, antiparasitic drugs must be made for one type of specific parasite in order for the drug to only hit the parasite and prevent it from hitting humans, which is why we need to know a lot about a parasite before we can learn to treat it.

Question 12

What are prophylactic drugs

Answer 12

preventative pills as to not get the parasite in the first place

Question 13

face mites: type, primary host

Answer 13

ecto, humans

Question 14

head lice: type, primary host

Answer 14

ecto, humans

Question 15

toxoplasmosis: type, primary host, secondary host

Answer 15

endo, cats, prey (birds/rats)

Question 16

dracunculiasis: type, alt name, primary host, secondary host

Answer 16

endo, guinea worm, humans, copepod

Question 17

onchocerciasis: type, alt name, primary host, secondary host, vector

Answer 17

endo, river blindless, humans, blackfly, blackfly

Question 18

schistosomiasis: type, alt name, primary host, secondary host

Answer 18

endo, bilharzia, humans, snail

Question 19

lymphatic filariasis: type, alt name, primary host, secondary host, vector

Answer 19

endo, elephantiasis, humans, mosquito, mosquito

Question 20

malaria: type, primary host, secondary host, vectorq

Answer 20

endo, mosquito, humans, mosquito

Question 21

trypanosomiasis: type, alt name, primary host, secondary host, vector

Answer 21

endo, sleeping sickness, tse-tse fly, human, tse tse fly

Question 22

what disease can be prevented by clean drinking water

Answer 22

guinea worm

Question 23

what disease can be prevented by clea n bathing water

Answer 23

schistosomiasis

Question 24

what disease can be prevented bycooking food thoroughly

Answer 24

pork tapeworm

Question 25

what are the three targets for a vaccine against malaria

Answer 25

1 prevent malaria from leaving the mosquito . 2. prevent malaria from entering the blood stream 3. prevent malaria from getting into red blood cells

Question 26

what are the 5 classes of immunoglobulins

Answer 26

IgA, IgM, igD, IgE, and IgG.

Question 27

what class of immunoglobulins are most important for parasitic infections and why?

Answer 27

IgE, employed as long-term defence

Question 28

define function of IgG

Answer 28

account for 80% of all antibodies, responsible for resistance against viruses, bacteria, and bacterial toxins

Question 29

define function of IgE

Answer 29

attaches to individual molecule of mast cells, responsible for fighting parasitic infections

Question 30

define function of IgM

Answer 30

first class of antibody secreted. igM concentration declines as igG production accelerates.

Question 31

define function of IgA

Answer 31

found primarily in secretions, attack pathogens before they gain access to internal tissues

Question 32

IgA switches to?

Answer 32

IgE

Question 33

IgM switches to?

Answer 33

IgG

Question 34

What is the link between IgE and allergies?

Answer 34

IgE fights off both parasites and allergies and the link is due to mast cells.

Question 35

Explain the process of an allergy in terms of the immune response (4-steps)

Answer 35

1. Allergen gets into the system and attaches to a B-cell 2. IgE antibodies are produced. 3. Antibodies attach themselves to mast cells, which are supposed to release chemicals to fight infection. 4. a second exposure triggers an immune response as the chemicals get released and causes symptoms

Question 36

what are mast cells and why do they exist

Answer 36

mast cells are cells that release chemicals in order to destroy pathogens because white blood cells are too small to engulf parasites.

Question 37

behavioural method to break chain of infection

Answer 37

avoid being bitten: repellent, avoid rivers

Question 38

what are 3 issues that are associated with vector control

Answer 38

high control, vectors are missed, and safety equipment must be available

Question 39

why is resistance a problem

Answer 39

short life cycle contributes to fast evolution and adaption