Parasitology Basic Terms

Question 1

Egg

Answer 1

Product of sexual reproduction by adult worms, contains embryonated prelarval form

Question 2

Symbiosis

Answer 2

A relationship of distinct organisms (species) in close association with one another

Question 2

Cyst

Answer 2

Dormant stage found encysted in host (intermediate or definitive)

Question 3

Miracidium

Answer 3

Alternative name for larvae

Question 4

Cyst, Hydatid

Answer 4

Specialized cysticercal form of the cestode Echinococcus grandulosus found in the intermediate host

Question 5

Rhabditiform

Answer 5

Alternative name for larvae

Question 6

Mutualism

Answer 6

Symbiosis that benefits both organisms

Question 6

Incidental (accidental) host

Answer 6

Host is not an obligate part of the parasite life cycle

Question 7

Metacercaria

Answer 7

Alternative name for larvae

Question 8

Sporocyst

Answer 8

Alternative name for larvae

Question 9

Unicellular endoparasite

Answer 9

protozoan

Question 10

Microfilariae

Answer 10

Alternative name for larvae

Question 10

Cercaria

Answer 10

Alternative name for larvae

Question 11

Larva

Answer 11

Immature post-ovum (pre-adult) form

Question 12

Incidence

Answer 12

new infections in a susceptible population per unit of time

Question 13

Cysticercus

Answer 13

Encysted cestode larval form in tissues of infected intermediate hosts (humans/pork tapeworm)

Question 14

Parasitism

Answer 14

Symbiosis that benefits organism and is harmful for the other (parasite vs host)

Question 15

Intermediate host

Answer 15

Host in which asexual reproduction or development occurs

Question 16

Schistosomula

Answer 16

Alternative name for larvae

Question 18

Definitive host

Answer 18

Host in which the sexual stage of a parasite life cycle occurs

Question 19

Epidemiology

Answer 19

the study of the factors and conditions that control disease transmission

Question 20

Multicellular worms

Answer 20

helminths

Question 22

Prevalence

Answer 22

disease intensity in a given area (% susceptible population), sporadic vs endemic vs epidemic

Question 23

Geographic distribution

Answer 23

the maximum global extent of a disease regardless of intensity

Question 25

Vector host

Answer 25

A host species that transmits an infectious form of the parasite to another host species

Question 26

Filariform (infectious)

Answer 26

Alternative name for larvae

Question 27

Reservoir host

Answer 27

Animal hosts that maintain the natural cycle in the wild, often are not really harmed by the carriage

Question 28

Commensal

Answer 28

Symbiosis that benefits one organism and is neutral for the other