Zooflagellates – protozoan, Biology

Assignment Help:

Zooflagellates – Protozoan

Zooflagellates are heterotrophs that are free living, commensals or symbiotic or parasitic in other animals. A number of species eg. Trichonynzpha and Myxotricha live within the gut of termites and digest cellulose that the wood-eating termites feed o but cannot digest for themselves.

Trichortympha lives as a mutualistic symbiont in the hindgut of wood-eating insects (termites and woodroaches). The anterior end of these large, complex flagellates (sometimes over 300 pm long) is covered with an elaborate pellicle and hundreds of flagella, but the posterior end extends pseudopods and ingests bits of wood. The flagellate is able to produce cellulose-digesting enzymes, but the insect host cannot; and therefore, depends on carbohydrates released by its symbionts.

Each time the insect molts, it loses the lining of the hindgut and all its symbionts. If it is unable to acquire new ones, it will starve to death, even though it continues to feed normally, for it cannot digest the wood. The flagellates are equally dependent on the mutualism and die within minutes outside the host. A young or newly-molted termite acquires symbionts by feeding directly from the anal opening of other termites in the colony. Myxotricha appears to be covered with flagella. But only four of these are true flagella and the others are a kind of bacteria or spirochetes (see margin remarks) attached to its surface. Their lashing movements enable the flagellate to swim about, and its own flagella help in steering.

2308_Zoo flagellates.png

                                                                 Figure: Zooflagellates parasitic in the gut of termites.

Other well known parasitic species of flagellates are Trypanosoma and Leishmania found in humans and cattle in Africa and Asia. Trypanosoma causes sleeping sickness in humans and nagana in cattle. The blood of the host is infected with the flagellate when the tsetse fly bites the host. Leishnamia is the agent for the widespread kala-azar and related disease. It affects the immune system and causes skin lesions among other effects. The host for this protozoan is the blood sucking sand fly.


Related Discussions:- Zooflagellates – protozoan

Mitral valve replacement -mitral valve disease, Mitral Valve Replacement : ...

Mitral Valve Replacement :  Patients who require surgery and are not candidates for BMV, CMV or OMV should have mitral valve replacement (MVR). Types of Surgery for Mitra

What is the secondary structure of a protein, The secondary protein structu...

The secondary protein structure is produced by the manner its amino acids interact by intermolecular bond. These interactions make a spatial conformation of the polypeptide filamen

Explain procedure for simple staining of bacterial cultures, Explain Proced...

Explain Procedure for Simple Staining of Bacterial Cultures? Now carry out the exercise following the steps given herewith: (1) Prepare thin bacterial smear on clean glass s

Long lasting vaccine against common cold, Q. Why does not a long lasting va...

Q. Why does not a long lasting vaccine against common cold exist yet? Viruses that present a high mutation rate like the virus that causes the common cold escape easily from th

Age-sex distribution, Age-Sex Distribution While studying exponential...

Age-Sex Distribution While studying exponential growth we need to know more than just the birth and death rates because these rates vary with age and sex. Age structure in a

Symptoms of gastro oesophageal reflux disease, Q. Symptoms of gastro oesoph...

Q. Symptoms of gastro oesophageal reflux disease? Most commonly, people with GERD complain of heartburn, a painful or uncomfortable feeling in the chest, which may radiate to t

Why are we not inundated with bacterial infections, We are told that every ...

We are told that every surface we touch is teeming with bacterial cells, and bacteria are found in the pools we swim in, the water we wash with, and on the hands of friends. Why ar

What is inharmonious ecological interaction, What is inharmonious ecologica...

What is inharmonious ecological interaction? Inharmonious, or negative, ecological interaction is that in which at least one of the participating beings is harmed.

What are the consequences of pem, What are the Consequences of PEM? Th...

What are the Consequences of PEM? The consequences of PEM are most often long lasting and irreversible. The common consequences include: • Irreversible growth retardation

Which is better-scrubbing the instruments or ultrasonic bath, Q. Which is b...

Q. Which is better-scrubbing the instruments or ultrasonic bath to clean the instruments? Ultrasonic bath to clean the instruments is better than hand scrubbing the instruments

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd