ACTIVITY 1 : 1. Define parasitism. How do you classify parasites?

A form of symbiosis in which one organism (called parasite) benefits at the expense of another organismusually of different species (called host). The association may also lead to the injury of the host. Ectoparasite a parasitic organism that lives on the outer surface of its host, e.g.lice, ticks, mites etc. Endoparasites parasites that live inside the body of their host, e.g. Entamoeba histolytica. Obligate Parasite - This parasite is completely dependent on the host during a segment or all of its life cycle, e.g. Plasmodium spp. Facultative parasite an organism that exhibits both parasitic and non-parasitic modes of living and hence does not absolutely depend on the parasitic way of life, but is capable of adapting to it if placed on a host. E.g. Naegleria fowleri Accidental parasite when a parasite attacks an unnatural host and survives. E.g. Hymenolepis diminuta (rat tapeworm). Erratic parasite - is one that wanders in to an organ in which it is not usually found. E.g. Entamoeba histolytica in the liver or lung of humans. 2. What is meant by commensalism and symbiosis? Give an example for each which relates to humans. Commensalism - an association in which the commensal takes the benefit without causing injury to the host. E.g. Most of the normal floras of the humans body can be considered as commensals. Symbiosis is a close ecological relationship between the individuals of two (or more) different species. Sometimes a symbiotic relationship benefits both species, sometimes one species benefits at the other's expense, and in other cases neither species benefits. 2. Define the term host. How are hosts classified? Give an example for each. A person who receives or entertains other people as guests. Definitive host a host that harbors a parasite in the adult stage or where the parasite undergoes a sexual method of reproduction. Intermediate host - harbors the larval stages of the parasite or an asexual cycle of development takes place. In some cases, larval development is completed in two different intermediate hosts, referred to as first and second intermediate hosts. Paratenic host a host that serves as a temporary refuge and vehicle for reaching an obligatory host, usually the definitive host, i.e. it is not necessary for the completion of the parasites life cycle.

 Reservoir host a host that makes the parasite available for the transmission to another host and is usually not affected by the infection. Natural host a host that is naturally infected with certain species of parasite. Accidental host a host that is under normal circumstances not infected with the parasite. 3. Explain with example what is meant by a vector?
an organism, often an invertebrate arthropod, that transmits a pathogen from reservoir to host

4. Explain the differences between bacteria, virus , fungus and a parasite. Bacteria are living things that are neither plants nor animals, but belong to a group all by themselves. They are very small--individually not more than one single cell--however there are normally millions of them together, for they can multiply really fast.Bacteria are prokaryotes (single cells that do not contain a nucleus). Every species has a great ability to produce offspring and its population expands until it runs out of food or it is limited by competition, its own waste products, or some other factor. Changes in climate or introduction of a new species from elsewhere can greatly affect the balance of nature. Connecting link of living and nonliving things A virus is a small infectious agent that can replicate only inside the living cells of organisms. Most viruses are too small to be seen directly with a light microscope. Viruses infect all types of organisms, from animals and plants to bacteria and archaea. All viruses have genes made from either DNA or RNA, long molecules that carry genetic information; all have a protein coat that protects these genes; and some have an envelope of fat that surrounds them when they are outside a cell. Fungi: These are Eukaryotes..when compared to bacteria(prokaryote) and virus. Like plants and animals, fungi are eukaryotic multicellular organisms. One major difference is that fungal cells have cell walls that contain chitin, unlike the cell walls of plants, which contain cellulose.The chitin adds rigidity and structural support to the thin cells of the fungus, and makes fresh mushrooms crisp Most members of the kingdom Fungi lack flagella; the structures are completely absent in all stages of their life cycle. The only exception are the chytrids, which produce flagellated gametes Parasites: A parasite is an organism that lives on or inside another organism to the detriment of the host organism. These are of various forms and types.A parasite is an organism that lives on or in a host and gets its food from or at the expense of its host. Parasites can cause disease in humans. Some parasitic diseases are easily treated and some are not. The burden of these diseases often rests on communities in the tropics and subtropics, but parasitic infections also affect people in developed countries. The parasites may be bacteria,fungi,algae,plants,animals etc...... true parasites usually weaken but rarely kill their hosts.

5. What are the various types of host parasite relation ships? Give an example for each. Host parasite relationship - infection is the result of entry and development within the body of any injurious organism regardless of its size. Once the infecting organism is introduced into the body of the host, it reacts in different ways and this could result in: a. Carrier state - a perfect host parasite relationship where tissue destruction by a parasite is balanced with the hosts tissue repair. At this point the parasite and the host live harmoniously, i.e. they are at equilibrium. b. Disease state - this is due to an imperfect host parasite relationship where the parasite dominates the upper hand. It can result either from lower resistance of the host or a higher pathogenecity of the parasite. c. Parasite destruction occurs when the host takes the upper hand.

ACTIVITY 2 : 1. What is meant by protozoa? How are they classified? Protozoa are a diverse group of unicellular eukaryotic organisms, many of which are motile. Originally, protozoa had been defined as unicellular protists with animal-like behavior, All protozoal species are assigned to the kingdom Protista in the Whittaker classification. The protozoa are then placed into various groups primarily on the basis of how they move. 2. List the protozoa of medical importance which affects the gastrointestinal system.

3. What are the protozoa which cause urogenital infections? How are they transmitted? 4. Protozoa affecting humans are classified based on the system/ tissue they affect. How are they classified? Which among the tissue protozoa has major clinical significance? Why? 5. What are ciliates? Why are they called so? Give an example of a protozoon classified as a ciliate. ACTIVITY 3 : 1. What is the mythological significance of the term amoeba ? 2. What are the subclasses of Entamoeba which are implicated in causing human disease? 3. What is the mode of transmission implicated in amebiasis? What are the preventive measures? 4. Which part of the world has the highest incidence of amoebiasis? 3. What is meant by principal host? ACTIVITY 4 :

1. What is meant by trophozoite form? What property is characteristic of this form of the parasite? Draw a diagram of the trophozoite form and label. 2. What is the role of the cyst form ? Draw a diagram of the amoebic cyst and label. 3. How do you differentiate between the E.coli, E. hartmanni and Endolimax nana? 4. What are the stains used to detect the trophozoite and cysts forms of this parasite?