University:
Western Sydney University
Course:
MEDI 2003 | Clinical Sciences 2
Academic year:

2024
Views:

452

Pages:

2
Author:

Mariam A. A.

Protozoans and Fungi Protozoans This is a class of cellular pathogen. Protozoans are unicellular, eukaryotic organisms. They mean that they have cell membranes and other membrane bound organelles. Similar to bacteria, they asexually reproduce via binary fission and have DNA as their genetic material. ✓ They are heterotrophic organisms, which means they cannot photosynthesis to make their own food. - Heterotrophic: cannot make their own food. They rely on other organisms for food - Autotrophic: they synthesis (make) their own food using photosynthesis. ✓ Many protozoans are live in water and they are mobile (move) in water due to the presence of a ‘tail’ called flagellum. Others have hair-like projections surrounding the pathogen called Cilia that allow the pathogen to move in water. ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Name Protozoan Plasmodium of Name Disease Malaria of Symptoms ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ High fever Vomiting Chills Abundant sweating Mode of Transmission Vector Transmission (i.e., Mosquito bite injecting pathogen into host organism) Fungi ✓ Although fungi can be unicellular (e.g., yeast) or multicellular (e.g. mushroom), they are all eukaryotes. This means that they have membrane-bound organelles. They also have a rigid cell wall made from chitin. ✓ Unlike bacteria and protozoan, they are not motile (nonmobile). ✓ They reproduce via spores and spores rely on wind for transportation which germinates upon landing on a surface in a favourable environment such as presence of moisture and preferably cool temperatures. ✓ Fungi can either be living on dead tissue (known as saprophyte) or be parasites (thrive on living tissue). Name of fungi Name of Symptoms Disease ✓ Scaly, dry skin Microsporum Athlete’s foot or Tinea ✓ Itching and burning between toes or bottom of foot ✓ Peeling of upper layer of foot’s skin Mode of Transmission Direct contact with fungus (e.g., infected person can transfer fungus to an object which is a healthy host makes contact. Another way can be through the direct contact between infected and unaffected organisms)