Parasitology

• Three major groups of animals studied in parasitology

  • Protozoa
  • Helminths
  • Arthropods
• Protozoa


  Single-celled eukaryotic organisms, such as Plasmodium (the parasite that causes malaria), Giardia, and Toxoplasma
• Helminths


  Parasitic worms, including nematodes (roundworms), cestodes (tapeworms), and trematodes (flukes)
• Arthropods


  Invertebrate animals with jointed appendages, such as mosquitoes, ticks, and lice, which can act as vectors for parasitic diseases
• Parasitology is the study of parasites, their hosts, and the relationship between them
• Understanding these three major groups of parasitic organisms is crucial for identifying, diagnosing, and treating parasitic infections in humans, animals, and plants
• Protozoa


  Eukaryotes with a true nucleus enclosed within a membrane
• Nucleus of protozoan cell

  • Contains the organism's genetic material (DNA)
  • Acts as the control center, directing all the cell's activities
• Eukaryotic features of protozoan cells

  • Membrane-bound nucleus
  • Membrane-bound organelles
• The complex internal structure of protozoan cells allows them to carry out more specialized and sophisticated functions compared to prokaryotes</b>
• The complexity of protozoan cells is a key reason why they can be successful parasites within the bodies of their hosts