Exercise 7 PROTOZOANS

PROTOZOA
PROTOZOA

Learning Objectives:
At the end of the activity, the students should be able to:
1. Identify the parasites.
2. Be able to determine the following:
a. Source of infection,
b. Infective stage
c. Mode of transmission,
d. Vector or intermediate host
3. Characterize the different malarial infections based on
a. Type of RBC infected
b. Vector

Introduction

Protozoa are unicellular, eukaryotic organisms that are made up of mass of protoplasm. The protoplasm is
differentiated into nucleoplasm and cytoplasm. The cytoplasm consists of a hyaline ectoplasm (outer layer)
and granular endoplasm (inner layer). The ectoplasm involves in protection, ingestion of food, excretion of
waste products, respiration, and locomotion. Not all protozoans are parasitic. Some are facultative capable of
a free-living state (such as Naegleria and Acanthamoeba). These facultative parasites reside in water or soil
however, they can cause severe illness when they enter body.

Protozoa are classified on the basis on their locomotive organs they utilized. There are four main groups
namely: Amoeba, flagellates, ciliates and sporozoan. Pseudopodium is formed by as an extension of
protoplasm outward of the body. It is also used to surround and ingest food particles. Both cilia and flagella
move the organism in a rhythmic or random pattern. Flagella are found singly or in small groups near the
end of the cilia. On the other hand, cilia are found around the body or near the mouth in longitudinal rows.

In general, protozoans exist in trophozoite or cyst stage. Trophozoites are the feeding, motile, dividing, and
pathogenic stage of protozoans. Cysts are the dormant, non-motile and the infective stage of most intestinal
protozoan parasites. Due to their small size, infections due to protozoans are diagnosed through microscopic
examination of body fluids, tissue specimens, or feces.

Most protozoans divide by means of Asexual multiplication: simple binary fission or multiple fission
(schizogony). In simple binary fission, which is organism divide by mitosis. The parasite either divides
transversely or longitudinally. In multiple fission two individuals are produced. The sporozoan like,
Plasmodia, reproduced both asexually and sexually, wherein asexual reproduction is through a process
called merogony or schizogony. Sexual reproduction is through conjugation or syngamy. In conjugation,
there is a temporary union of two individuals in which interchange of nuclear material occurs. The two
individual separates later. In syngamy, complete fusion of the gametes nuclear material occurs which results
to the production of a zygote.
 BIO 030.1 – Microbiology and Parasitology Laboratory
Exercise 7 - Protozoans

Name: _________________________________________________________________________________
Section: ______ Group #: _______ Date of Submission: _______________________

Draw the different the parasite seen in the microscope. Label the following: Plasma membrane (PM),
Cytoplasm (C), Nuclei (N)

Scientific name: Entamoeba histolytica

images ©CDC
Stage (cyst or trophozoite): cyst Stage (cyst or trophozoite): trophozoite
Body habitat: small intestine Locomotory organ: pseudopodia (false feet)

Scientific name: Entamoeba coli

images ©CDC
Stage (cyst or trophozoite): cyst Stage (cyst or trophozoite): trophozoite
Body habitat: Locomotory organ:
NAMES: _____________________________________________________ GROUP & SECTION: ________

Scientific name: Endolimax nana

images ©CDC
Stage (cyst or trophozoite): Stage (cyst or trophozoite):
Body habitat: Locomotory organ:

Scientific name: Iodamoeba butschlii

images ©CDC
Stage (cyst or trophozoite): Stage (cyst or trophozoite):
Body habitat: Locomotory organ:
NAMES: _____________________________________________________ GROUP & SECTION: ________

Scientific name: Balantindium coli

images ©CDC
Stage (cyst or trophozoite): Stage (cyst or trophozoite):
Body habitat: Locomotory organ:

Scientific name: Giardia lamblia

images ©CDC
Stage (cyst or trophozoite): Stage (cyst or trophozoite):
Body habitat: Locomotory organ:
NAMES: _____________________________________________________ GROUP & SECTION: ________

Scientific name: Chilomastix mesnili

images ©CDC
Stage (cyst or trophozoite): Stage (cyst or trophozoite):
Body habitat: Locomotory organ:
NAMES: _____________________________________________________ GROUP & SECTION: ________

BIO 030.1 – Microbiology and Parasitology Laboratory

Exercise 7 - Protozoans

Life Cycle Images:

Entamoeba histolytica
image ©CDC

Entamoeba coli
image ©CDC
NAMES: _____________________________________________________ GROUP & SECTION: ________

Endolimax nana
image ©CDC

Iodamoeba butschlii
image ©CDC
NAMES: _____________________________________________________ GROUP & SECTION: ________
Balantidium coli
image ©CDC

Giardia lamblia
image ©CDC
NAMES: _____________________________________________________ GROUP & SECTION: ________

Chilomastix mesnili
image ©CDC