ANIMAL DIVERSITY – I (NON-CHORDATES)

PROTOZOA
Dr. (Mrs.) Hardeep Kaur
53D, DDA Flats,
Masjid Moth- Phase 2,
Greater Kailash-III, Delhi
CONTENTS:
Introduction
Classification of Protozoa
General Characters of Protozoa
Type study of Euglena
Type study of Paramecium
Life history, transmission, pathogenicity and control of Entamoeba
Life history, transmission, pathogenicity and control of Plasmodium
Life history, transmission, pathogenicity and control of Trypanosoma
Life history, transmission, pathogenicity and control of Leishmania
Glossary
References
INTRODUCTION
Protists are a heterogeneous group of living things, comprising those organisms that
are one-celled or acellular. Some protistans are plant-like in that they have chlorophyll
or some other pigment for photosynthesis, and may have a cellulose wall, and are so
called Protophyta. Others are animal-like, having no chlorophyll or cellulose wall, and
feed on organic matter and are so called Protozoa.
Protozoa (in Greek proto = first and zoa = animal) is a diverse assemblage of some
80,000 single-cell organisms that show some characteristics usually associated with
animals, most notably mobility and heterotrophy. They possess typical eukaryotic
membrane-bound cellular organelles and are ubiquitous or cosmoplitan, the species
occuring throughout the earth. The protozoans exhibit all types of symmetry, a great
range of structural complexity, and adaptations for all types of environmental
conditions. Most protozoans are too small to be seen with the naked eye but can easily
be found under a microscope (most are around 0.01-0.05 mm, although forms up to 0.5
mm are still fairly common). They play an important role in their ecology. Protozoa
occupy a range of trophic levels. As predators upon unicellular or filamentous algae,
bacteria, and microfungi, protozoa play a role both as herbivores and as consumers in
the decomposer link of the food chain. They also play a vital role in controlling
bacteria population and biomass. As components of the micro- and meiofauna,
protozoa are an important food source for microinvertebrates. Thus, the ecological role
of protozoa in the transfer of bacterial and algal production to successive trophic levels
is important. Protozoa are also important as parasites and symbionts of multicellular
animals.
Protozoa may occur singly or in colonies (e.g. Volvox); may swim freely or be in
contact with a substratum or be sedentary; may be housed in a shell (lorica) (e.g.
foraminiferas), clothed in scales or other adhering matter, or be naked; they may or
may not be pigmented. They may be parasitic (e.g. Trypanosoma) or symbiotic living
attached to or inside other organisms (e.g. Joenia), even inside their cells. Free living
protozoa occur wherever moisture is present-in the sea, in all types of fresh water, and
in soil.
ORGANELLES
The protozoan possesses all the typical cellular structures and performs all the basic
cellular processes. The body is usually bounded by a cell membrane. Below the cell
membrane is present a cytoskeleton which is composed of slender filamentous
proteins, microtubules or vesicles. Distinct organ or tissues are absent but certain
specialized structures such as cilia, flagella, contractile vacuoles, myonemes etc.,
usually occur to perform certain special functions. These structures which are parts of a
single cell are termed organelles or organoides or organites, in contrast to the
multicellular organs of Metazoa.
REPRODUCTION
Asexual reproduction by mitosis is most common mode of reproduction in Protozoans.
Division of the organism into two or more progeny cells by binary fission or multiple
fission takes place. However, when one progeny cell is smaller than the other, the
process is called budding. The protozoans reproduce sexually by conjugation of the
adults or by fusion of gametes.
Encystment is the characteristic feature of many protozoans, including the majority of
fresh water species. It commonly occurs to help in dispersal as well as to resist
unfavorable conditions of food, temperature and moisture.
NUTRITION
As all other organisms, protozoa also require nutrients for the building up its body and
for getting energy necessary for all vital activities. The organism can be autotrophic,
synthesizing organic substances from the supply of inorganic nutrients utilizing
chemical energy (chemiautotrophs) or radiant energy (phototrophs). They could also
be totally heterotrophs, where they require ready-made food material from other
sources or could be amphitrophs and can switch to any of the two modes (auto- or
hetero-) as required. Besides these modes, the protozoans could also have saprozoic
mode of nutrition in which they obtain nutrition by diffusion through general body
surface or could also be parasitic in which they live in the body of some other living
being and get nourished at the expense of the host.
LOCOMOTION
Locomotion or movement in protozoa is performed by specialized locomotory organs.
Based on locomotion, protozoa are grouped into:

Flagellates with long flagella e.g., Euglena

Amoeboids with transient pseudopodia e.g., Amoeba

Ciliates with multiple, short cilia e.g., Paramecium

Sporozoa non-motile parasites; form spores e.g., Plasmodium

Flagella are extremely fine, delicate and highly vibratile thread like extensions of
protoplasm, which are used for swimming and for creating food currents. Pseudopodia
are the motile organs of temporary nature that are extruded out from body protoplasm
of those protozoans that are devoid of tough pellicle. Cilia are slender, fine and short
hair like processes of ectoplasm. They help in locomotion and food capturing. They are
much shorter than flagellum and are present in far greater number.
Classification of Protozoa (from Barnes-fifth edition)

Kingdom -
Protista

Subkingdom - Sub Kingdom -

Protozoa Protophyta

Phylum - Phylum - Phylum – Phylum -

Sarcomastigophora Apicomplexa Microspora Ciliophora
e.g. Nosema

Subphylum -
Mastigophora

Subphylum -
Sarcodina
 Subphylum -
Mastigophora

Class - Class - Superclass –

Phytomastigophora Zoomastigophora Opalinata
e.g. Opalina

Order –
Chrysomonadida
e.g. Synura

Order –
Silicoflagellida
Order –
e.g. Dictyocha
Choanoflagellida
e.g. Proterospongia
Order –
Coccolithophorida
Order –
e.g. Coccolithus
Rhizomastigida
e.g. Dimorpha
Order –
Heterochlorida
Order –
e.g. Heterochloris
Kinetoplastida
e.g. Leishmania,
Order – T
Cryptomonadida
Order –
e.g. Chilomonas
Retortamonadida
e.g. Chilomastix
Order –
Dinoflagellida Order –
e.g. Ceratium Diplomonadida
e.g. Giardia
Order – Ebriida
e.g. Ebria Order –
Oxymonadida
e.g. Oxymonas
Order – Euglenida
e.g. Euglena Order –
Trichomonadida
e.g. Trichomonas
Order –
Chloromonadida Order –
e.g. Gonyostomum Hypermastigida
e.g. Lophomonas
Order – Volvocida
e.g. Chlamydomonas
 Subphylum -
Sarcodina

Superclass - Superclass -
Rhizopoda Actinopoda

Class - Lobosa Class - Filosa Class -

Granuloreticulosa

Order –
Foraminiferida
e.g. Globigerina

Order –
Aconchulinida
e.g. Vampyrella

Order –
Testaceafilosida
e.g. Euglypha Class – Acantharia
Subclass – Subclass – e.g. Acanthometra
Testacealobosa Gymnamoeba

Class –
Polycystina
Order – Arcellinida e.g. Thalassicola
e.g. Arcella
Class – Phaeodaria
e.g. Aulacantha

Order – Pelobiontida Order – Amoebida Order – Class – Heliozoa

e.g. Pelomyxa e.g. Amoeba Schizopyrenida e.g. Actinophrys
e.g. Acanthamoeba
 Phylum -
Apicomplexa

Class - Sporozoa Class –

Piroplasmea
e.g. Babesia

Subclass – Gregarinia Subclass – Coccidia

e.g. Gregarina, e.g. Plasmodium
Monocystis

Phylum -
Ciliophora

Class - Class - Class -

Kinetofragminophora Oligohymenophora Polyhymenophora

Subclass – Subclass – Subclass – Peritricha Order –

Gymnostomata Hymenostomata e.g. Vorticella Heterotrichida
e.g. Didinium e.g. Paramecium e.g. Blepharisma

Subclass – Order –
Vestibulifera Odontostomatida
e.g. Balantidium e.g. Saprodinium

Subclass – Order –
Hypostomata Oligotrichida
e.g. Nasula e.g. Codonella

Subclass – Suctoria Order –

e.g. Ephelota Hypotrichida
e.g. Euplotes
GENERAL CHARACTERS OF PROTOZOA
The protozoans are an assemblage of single-cell organisms possessing typical
membrane-bound cellular organelles. They consist of a number of different unicellular
phyla, which together with many plant-like unicellular organisms are placed in the
Kingdom Protista.
I) Phylum Sarcomastigophora
These protozoa possess flagella or pseudopodia as locomotor or feeding organelles and
a single type of nucleus. The phylum is further divided into two subphyla,
Mastigophora and Sarcodina.
A) Subphylum Mastigophora
The mastigophorans possess flagella as adult organelles. They are further divided into
two classes phytomastigophora and zoomastigophora.
A.1) Class Phytomastigophora
Mostly free-living, plantlike flagellates with or without chromoplasts and usually one
or two flagella. The class has following orders.
Order Chrysomonadina: Small flagellates with yellow or brown chromoplasts
and two unequal flagella. e.g. Chromulina, Synura
Order Silicoflagellida: Flagellum single or absent and chromoplasts brown. e.g.
Dictyocha
Order Coccolithophorida: Tiny marine flagellates covered by calcareous
platelets- coccoliths. Two flagella and yellow to brown chromoplasts. e.g.
Coccolithus
Order Heterochlorida: Two unequal flagella and yellow-green chromoplasts.
e.g. Heterochloris
Order Cryptomonadida: Compressed, biflagellate, two chromoplastids, usually
yellow to brown or colorless. e.g. Chilomonas
Order Dinoflagellida: Equatorial and a posterior longitudinal flagellum. Brown
or yellow chromoplasts and stigma usually present. e.g. Ceratium
Order Ebriida: Biflagellate, with no chromoplasts. e.g. Ebria
Order Euglenida: Elongated green or colorless flagellates with two flagella
arising from an anterior recess. Stigma present in colored forms. e.g. Euglena
Order Chloromonadida: Small, dorsoventrally flattened flagellates with
numerous green chromoplasts. Two flagella, one trailing. e.g. Gonyostomum
Order Volvocida: Body with green, usually single, cup-shaped chromoplasts,
stigma, and often two to four apical flagella per cell. e.g.
Chlamydomonas, Volvox
 A.2) Class Zoomastigophora
Flagellates with neither chromoplasts nor leucoplasts. One to many flagella, in most
cases with basal granule complex. Many commensals, symbionts and parasites.
Order Choanoflagellates: Freshwater flagellates, with a single flagellum, sessile,
sometimes stalked. e.g. Proterospongia
Order Rhizomastigida: Amoeboid forms with one to many flagella. e.g. Dimorpha
Order Kinetoplastida: One or two flagella emerging from the pit. Mostly parasitic.
e.g. Leishmania, Trypanosoma
Order Retortamonadida: Gut parasites of insects or vertebrates, with two or four
flagella. e.g. Chilomastix
Order Oxymonadida: Commensal or mutualistic with one to many nuclei, each
nucleus associated with four flagella. e.g. Oxymonas
Order Trichomonadida: Parasitic flagellates with four to six flagella. e.g.
Trichomonas
Order Hypermastigida: Many flagellates with kinetosomes arranged in a circle, plate
or spiral rows. Symbionts in guts of termites, cockroaches and wood roaches. e.g.
Lophomonas
A. 3) Superclass Opalinata:
Body covered by longitudinal, oblique rows of cilia, two or many monomorphic nuclei.
Binary fission is symmetrogenic. Syngamous sexual reproduction. Gut commensals of
anurans. e.g. Opalina
B) Subphylum Sarcodina
Adult protozoa possess flowing extensions of the body called pseudopodia which are
either used for capturing prey or for locomotion. Flagella, if present are only in
developmental stages. They are either symmetrical or have a spherical symmetry. They
possess relatively few organelles and therefore, considered to be the simplest protozoa.
The subphylum is divided into two superclasses.
B.1) Superclass Rhizopoda:
Lobopodia, filopodia, reticulopodia are used for locomotion. It is further divided into
three classes.
B.1.1) Class Lobosa:
Pseudopodia, usually lobopodia. It has two subclasses.
B.1.1.1) Subclass Gymnamoeba:
Amebas that lacks shell
 Order Amoebida: Naked amebas that lack flagellated stages. e.g. Amoeba,
Entamoeba
Order Schizopyrenida: Naked amebas with flagellated stages. e.g.
Acanthamoeba
Order Pelobiontida: Naked, multinucleate amebas with one pseudopod and no
flagellated stages. e.g. Pelomyxa
B.1.1.2) Subclass Testacealobosa:
Amebas with shells.
Order Arcellinida: Body enclosed in a shell or test with an aperture through
which the pseudopodia protrude. e.g. Arcella
B.1.2) Class Filosa:
Amebas with filopods.
Order Aconchulinida: Naked amebas. Freshwater and parasites of algae. e.g.
Vampyrella
Order Testaceafilosida: Shelled amebas. Mostly in freshwater and soil. e.g.
Euglypha
B.1.3) Class Granuloreticulosa:
Organisms with delicate granular reticulopodia.
Order Foraminiferida: Marine organisms with multichambered shells. e.g.
Globigerina
B.2) Superclass Actinopoda:
Primarily floating or sessile Sarcodina with actinopodia radiating from a spherical
body.
B.2.1) Class Acantharia:
Radiolarians with a radiating skeleton. Axopodia present. e.g. Acanthometra
B.2.2) Class Polycystina:
Radiolarians with a siliceous skeleton and a perforated capsular membrane. e.g.
Thalassicola
B.2.3) Class Phaeodaria:
Radiolarians with a siliceous skeleton but a capsular membrane containing only three
pores.
e.g. Aulacantha
B.2.4) Class Heliozoa:
Without central capsule. Naked or if skeleton present, it is of siliceous scales and
spines. e.g. Actinophrys

II) Phylum Apicomplexa

Most known sporozoans and all those of known economic and medical importance
belong to the phylum apicomplexa, so called because of a complex of ring like,
tubular, filamentous organelles at the apical end, whose function is not very well
known. Spores are usually present but they lack polar filaments. All species are
parasitic. The phylum has two major classes.
Class Sporozoa:
Reproduction sexual and asexual. It has two subclasses
A.1) Subclass Gregarinia:
Mature trophozoites are large and occur in the gut and body cavities of
annelids and arthropods. e.g. Gregarina, Monocystis
A.2) Subclass Coccidia:
Mature trophozoites are small and intracellular. e.g. Plasmodium, Toxoplasma
Class Piroplasmea:
Parasites of vertebrate red blood cells transmitted by ticks. No spores. e.g. Babesia

III) Phylum Microspora

The phylum Microspora contains intracellular parasites, especially of insects. The
name Microspora is derived from the spore, which contains polar filament that can be
everted. e.g. Nosema
IV) Phylum Ciliophora
The ciliates constitute the largest phylum of protozoa. They are also the most animal-
like and exhibit a very high level of organelle development. They possess cilia for
locomotion and in many species for suspension feeding. The body wall of ciliates is a
complex living pellicle, containing alveoli, trichocysts and other organelles. Ciliates
reproduce asexually by transverse fission and sexually by conjugation. It possess three
classes.
A) Class Kinetofragminophora:
Isolated kineties in oral region of body bearing cilia but not compound ciliary
organelles. It is divided into the following subclasses:
Subclass Gymnostomata:
Cytostome at or near surface of body and located at the anterior end or
laterally. Somatic ciliation generally uniform. e.g. Coleps, Didinum
 Subclass Vestibulifera:
Cytostome within a vestibulum bearing distinct ciliature. Free living or
symbiotic. e.g. Balantidium
Subclass Hypostomata:
Body cylindrical or dorsoventrally flattened, with ventral mouth. Free living
and many symbiotic species. e.g. Nasula
Subclass Suctoria:
Sessile, generally stalked, with tentacles at the free end. Cilia lacking in the
adult but present in the free-swimming larval stage. Most are
ectosymbionts on aquatic invertebrates. e.g. Ephelota
B) Class Oligohymenophora:
Oral apparatus usually well developed and containing compound ciliary organelles. It
has two subclasses:
Subclass Hymenostomata:
Body ciliation commonly uniform and oral structures not conspicuous. e.g.
Paramecium
Subclass Peritricha:
Mostly sessile forms with reduced body ciliation. Oral ciliary band usually
conspicuous. e.g. Vorticella
C) Class Polyhymenophora
Oral region with conspicuous adoral zone of buccal membranelles. Some species with
uniform body ciliation, others with compound organelles, such as cirri. It has only one
subclass:
Subclass Spirotricha: The subclass is further divided into four orders:
Order Heterotrichida: Mostly large ciliates with uniform body ciliation.
e.g. Blepharisma
Order Odontostomatida: Laterally compressed, wedge-shaped ciliates
with reduced body ciliation. e.g. Saprodinium
Order Oligotrichida: Ciliates with reduced somatic ciliature but with
extensive projecting buccal ciliary organelles. e.g. Codonella
Order Hypotrichida: Dorsoventrally flattened ciliates with cirri on the
ventral side. e.g. Euplotes, Stylonychia
Euglena
The class Phytomastigophora comprise of enormous number of unicellular organisms
which resemble each other in the possession of one or more, long slender vibratile
protoplasmic fibrils or flagella as organs of locomotion. Euglena being the most
studied representative of the class is commonly found in freshwater ponds and puddles
and could even impart a green color to the water.
STRUCTURE: The body is elongated and usually spindle-shaped or cylindrical. The
anterior end, which is directed forward during locomotion, is blunt and rounded. The
middle part is blunt and rounded while the body is pointing posteriorly.
The most common species, E. viridis is a green Euglena and about 50µ long (Fig. 1.).
The shape of the body is maintained by a thin but firm covering called pellicle which is
marked with very delicate spiral striations called myonemes. At the anterior end, there
is a funnel like opening, the cell mouth or cytostome, which leads into cell gullet or
cytopharynx. Cytopharynx expands into a large permanent spherical vesicle or
reservoir, on the wall of which are located the separate basal bodies which give rise to
two unequal flagella. The shorter flagellum does not emerge from the reservoir, and its
tip may be applied to the longer flagellum in such a way that there may seem to be just
one flagellum with two roots. The longer flagellum is thick and easily seen in living
organism. Minute hair-like contractile processes, called mastigonemes of unknown
function, are present in single longitudinal row along one side of the flagellum. This
type of flagellum is known as stichonematic. A pigmented spot, or stigma, shades a
swollen basal area of the long flagellum, which contains a pigment, called
haematochrome, considered to be photoreceptive in nature. A large contractile vacuole
is found attached to one side of the reservoir into which it periodically discharges its
watery contents.
The cytoplasm of the body of Euglena is differentiated into a clear dense outer layer or
ectoplasm, surrounding a more fluid-like granular central mass or the endoplasm. A
single, large, spherical or oval nucleus lies centrally, which contains several nucleoli
and is surrounded by a nuclear membrane. The chloroplasts, in which the chlorophyll
is concentrated, are elongated or ovoid. Among the chloroplasts there are smaller
bodies consisting of paramylum, a carbohydrate reserve chemically related to starch.
The centre for synthesis of paramylum, called pyrenoids, may be closely associated
with the chloroplasts, or they may be separate.
Euglena, like green plants, is photosynthetic in the light. Nitrogen and other elements
essential for the formation of amino acids are absorbed in mineral salts. Although it
may be regarded as an autotroph as long as it is in the light and is provided with
essential elements in the from of inorganic compounds, it is dependent upon external
sources of vitamin B12, which is synthesized by bacteria and some other
microorganisms. Euglena is not known to ingest particulate organic material but can
utilize organic nutrients in solution.
Pellicle in Euglena: The shape of Euglena remains constant because the body is
enclosed by a distinct, tough, heavy pellicle or periplast, lying beneath the plasma
membrane. Pellicle consists of certain grooves called myonemes that get lubricated by
certain muciferous bodies present beneath the pellicle.
LOCOMOTION: The presence of flagella is the distinguishing feature of flagellates
and most species possess two. They may be of equal or unequal length and one may be
leading and one trailing as in Paranema, however in Euglena the two flagellum being
unequal, with one remaining within the reservoir, only the long flagellum is the
locomotory flagellum.
Euglena performs two different kinds of movement i) flagellar and ii) euglenoid.
Flagellar Movement: In flagellates, flagellar propulsion follows essentially the same
principle as that of a propeller, the flagellum undergoes undulations that either push or
pull. The undulatory waves pass from base to top and drive the organism in the
opposite direction, or more rarely the undulations pass from tip to base and pull the
organism (Fig. 2a) Many theories have been put forward to explain the flagellar
locomotions in Euglena.
Simple conical gyration: The movement of flagellum is such that the body moves in a
spiral rotation like a rotating plane which remains inclined at an angle of 30º to the axis
of movement (Fig. 2b, c).
Paddle stroke: This type of movement is during rapid locomotion, the flagellum
performs sideways lashes or paddle strokes. Each stroke has an effective stroke and a
recovery stroke, due to which body is propelled forward (Fig. 2d).
Euglenoid Movement: The body of Euglena undergoes “peristaltic movements” as a
wave of contraction and expansion passes over the entire body. The movement is due
to highly elastic pellicle (Fig. 2e). This movement enables Euglena to move over solid
objects. It also occurs after the flagellum is dropped before encystment. This
movement occurs occasionally and is not the real method of locomotion in Euglena.
NUTRITION: Phytoflagellates are primarily autotrophic and contain chlorophyll.
Different phytoflagellate groups are characterized by different combinations of
chlorophyll types and accessory pigments and they store reserve foods as oils or fats or
various forms of carbohydrates. The chief mode of nutrition in Euglena is
holophytic/autotrophic/plant like. By the process of photosynthesis, Euglena can make
its own food. CO2 captured from sunlight by chlorophyll present in the chloroplast, is
split. O2 is set free, while carbon reacts with water or H2O molecule to form
paramylum or paramylon, a kind of carbohydrate which gets deposited in cytoplasm or
endoplasm. However, in the absence of sunlight, Euglena can obtain food by
saprophytic or saprozoic nutrition i.e. utilizes the decaying food material dissolved in
water and absorbed through the general body surface. If kept in dark or if grown in
media rich in certain organic nutrients, some photosynthetic species of Euglena will
loose their chlorophyll and will resemble members of the genus Astasia. This suggests
that members of the genus Astasia and perhaps some other colorless genera have been
derived from photosynthetic species.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: The semi permeable pellicle is responsible for the
exchange of gases. O2 passes in while CO2 is released through pellicle. Oxidation
reactions are carried out by mitochondrial enzymes with the help of incoming oxygen.
Some of the CO2 is also utilized during photosynthesis.
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM:
Osmoregulation: Contractile vacuole is responsible for removal of excessive water
from the body. Being a fresh water form, the concentration of body fluids is higher in
Euglena so water diffuses in passively. Cytoplasm in turn drains the excess water in
small accessory vacuoles which in turn drains the water in large contractile vacuoles
which contracts to throw the water in reservoir, from where it is then thrown out of the
body.
EXCRETORY SYSTEM: Most of the nitrogenous waste products produced as by-
products of various reactions occurring in the body are thrown out from the general
body surface. Some of these materials are also emptied by contractile vacuoles into the
reservoir from where they are thrown out.
NERVOUS SYSTEM: In many species of flagellates, including some non-
photosynthetic types, a stigma is closely associated with the reservoir. It consists of
small granules of a carotenoid substance embedded in a colorless stroma and serves as
a light sensitive organelle.
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM: In the majority of flagellates, asexual reproduction
occurs by binary fission and most commonly the organism divides longitudinally.
Division is thus said to be symmetrogenic i.e. producing mirror-image daughter cells.
However in most flagellates, sexual reproduction is still poorly known.
In Euglena, the organism multiplies asexually by binary fission or multiple fission
either in the free or encysted state. Under favorable conditions of water, temperature
and food, Euglena divides by longitudinal binary fission to produce symmetrogenic
individuals (Fig. 3). Multiple fission is common during unfavorable conditions like
lack of food and oxygen, draught, excessive heat. To tide over such adverse conditions,
encystment takes place as a protective measure. Such encysted individual may undergo
single or several divisions resulting in new individuals.
Paramecium
Ciliates are the largest and most homogenous of all the protozoans, widely distributed
in both fresh and marine waters and in the water films of soil. All possess cilia or
compound ciliary structures as locomotor or food acquiring organelles at some time in
the life cycle. Also present is an infraciliary system, composed of ciliary basal bodies
or kinetosomes, below the level of cell surface and associated with fibrils that run in
various directions. Most ciliates have a cell mouth or cytostome and are characterized
by the presence of two types of nuclei-one vegetative (macronucleus-concerned with
the synthesis of RNA as well as DNA) and the other reproductive (micronucleus-
concerned primarily with the synthesis of DNA). The most studied ciliate is
Paramecium, also called slipper animalcule. It is most common in freshwater ponds,
pools, ditches, streams, rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Common species of Paramecium
includes P. caudatum, P. aurelia, P. bursaria. The media used for propagating
Paramecium is hay infusion medium and also Chalkey’s medium (containing NaCl,
NaHCO3, KCl, CaCl2 etc.).
SIZE, SHAPE and STRUCTURE of Paramecium caudatum
Body shape of most ciliates is usually constant. Although the majority of them are
solitary and free swimming, there are both sessile and colonial forms. The body of
certain ciliates is present inside a girdle like encasement called lorica, which is either
secreted or composed of foreign material cemented together.
P. caudatum are minute organisms with largest species measuring 170-290µ in length.
The body is covered by a complex pellicle or periplast. Pellicle is a thin, firm, elastic
and cuticular membrane. Due to the firm pellicle, the shape of Paramecium looks
rather elongated or slipper shaped and hence is called slipper animalcule. Under high
power of microscope, the surface of pellicle seems to be divided into a great number of
very small polygonal or hexagonal areas or ciliary fields formed by crossing of
obliquely running ridges bearing the opening of trichocysts.
The body of Paramecium has a distinct lower, ventral or oral surface which is flattened
and an upper dorsal or aboral surface which is convex. It swims with one end (slender,
rounded, blunt, and anterior) in front and more pointed posterior end at the back. The
endoplasm of Paramecium is semi-fluid and shows streaming movements called
cyclosis. It contains food vacuoles, reserve food granules, mitochondria, golgi bodies,
ribosomes, contractile vacuoles. A large macronucleus lies in the middle of the body
while a smaller micronucleus is present on the surface depression of the macronuleus
(Fig. 4).
Pellicular System: The pellicular system has been well studied in Paramecium (Fig. 5).
There is an outer limiting plasma membrane, which is continuous with the membrane
surrounding the cilia. Beneath the outer membrane is a single layer of closely packed
vesicles, or alveoli, each of which is moderately to greatly flattened. The outer and
inner membrane bounding a flattened alveolus thus forms a middle and inner
membrane of the ciliate pellicle. Between adjacent alveoli emerge the cilia and
mucigenic or other bodies. Beneath the alveoli is located the infraciliary system i.e. the
kinetosomes and fibrils. The alveoli contribute to the stability of the pellicle and
perhaps limit the permeability of the cell surface.
Alternating with the alveoli are bottle shaped organelles, the trichocysts, which forms a
second, deeper, compact layer of the pellicular system. The trichocyst is a peculiar rod
like organelle which functions in defense against the predators.
Toxicysts are vesicular organelles found in the pellicle of gymnostomes which are
again for defence purposes. Mucocysts are another group of pellicular organelle found
in many ciliates, discharge a mucoid material and function in formation of cysts or
protective coverings.
Kinety System: The ciliature can be divided into body (or somatic) ciliature, which
occurs over the general body surface and the oral ciliature, which is associated with the
mouth region.Each cilium arise from a basal body or kinetosome located in the
alveolar layer (Fig. 6). The kinetosomes that form a particular longitudinal row are
connected by means of fine striated fibres called the kinetodesmata. A Kinetodesmata
is actually a cable of still smaller kinetodesmal fibrils, each of which originates from a
kinetosome. The cilia, kinetosome and kinetodesmata together make up a Kinety. A
Kinety system is characteristic of all ciliates.
LOCOMOTION: Ciliates are the fastest moving of all protozoa. Two types of
movements are generally present in Paramecium- body contortions and ciliary
locomotion.
The beat of individual cilia, rather than being random or synchronous is part of the
metachronal waves that sweep along the length of the body. Paramecium can execute
considerable contracting and twisting movements in squeezing through the tangled
masses of minute water weeds, through small apertures. It has a stream lined body
shape that enables it to go through the water with least friction. During movement,
cilium oscillates like a pendulum. Each oscillation comprising an effective stroke or
the strong backward lash. The cilium becomes slightly curved and rigid and strikes the
water like an oar so that the body is propelled forward in the water in the opposite
direction of the stroke, the quick recovery stroke, which follows immediately is about
five times faster with the cilium kept in a limp or much flexed state to offer resistance
to the water (Fig. 7a, b).
All the cilia of the body do not move simultaneously and independently but
progressively in a remarkable coordination and metachronal rhythm (Fig. 7c).
The cilia in a longitudinal row do not beat all at once but in a characteristic wave
beginning at the anterior end and progressing backwards. Therefore, a cilium in a
longitudinal row will always move in advance of the one behind it (metachronously).
But all the cilia of a transverse row beat synchronously or simultaneously. A
swimming Paramecium does not follow a straight tract but rotates spirally like rifle
bullet over to the left side (Fig. 7d). The reason behind this is first the body cilia do not
beat directly backwards but somewhat obliquely towards right so that the animal
rotates over to the left on its long axis. Secondly the cilia of the oral groove strike
obliquely and more vigorously so as to turn the anterior end continually away from the
oral side and move in circles. But the combined effect is to move the animal forward in
a left spiral course or anticlockwise (Fig. 7e). The rate of ciliary movement in
Paramecium is about 10-11 times/second.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM: Ciliates possess a distinct mouth or cytostome (secondarily
lost in some groups). In most ciliates, mouth is displaced posteriorly. It opens into a
canal or passageway called the cytopharynx, which is separated from the endoplasm by
a membrane. It is this membrane that enlarges and pinches off as a food vacuole. The
walls of the cytopharynx is lined with microtubular rods (nematodesmata), which
provide support to the walls of the pharynx and assist the inward transport of food
vacuoles.
In majority of ciliates, cytostome is preceded by a preoral chamber that aids in food
capture and manipulation. The preoral chamber takes the form of a vestibule, which
varies from a slight depression to a deep funnel, with cytostome at its base. In other
ciliates, the preoral chamber is typically a buccal cavity, which differs from a vestibule
by containing compound ciliary organelles instead of simple cilia. There are two basic
types of ciliary organelles: the undulating membrane and the membranelle. An
undulating membrane is a row of adhering cilia forming a sheet. A membranelle is
derived from two or three short rows of cilia, all of which adhere to form a more or
less triangular or fan shaped plate.
Paramecium possesses a well formed oral apparatus for food ingestion (Fig. 8). The
oral groove along the side of the body leads ventrally and posteriorly into a tubular
chamber or vestibule. It leads through a large oral opening into a wide tubular passage,
the buccal cavity. A definite aperture, the cell mouth or cytostome, lying at the bottom
of deep buccal groove, leads into a short tube, the cytopharynx which forms a food
vacuole at its inner end. Vestibule is lined by simple somatic cilia. Buccal cavity
possesses compound cilia. A row of fused cilia, forming an endoral membrane, runs
transversely along the right wall and encircles the opening of vestibuile into the buccal
cavity. Besides three membranelles-ventral peniculus, dorsal peniculus and quadrulus
are also present at left side, each consisting of four rows of cilia. A minute aperture
called the cell anus or cytoproct or cytopyge, opens in the pellicle, near and behind the
cytopharynx on the right side of the body, through which undigested food is egested.
Food consists of small living organisms, especially bacteria, small protozoa,
unicellular plants and small bits of animals and vegetables.
Feeding Mechanism- Paramecium is a selective feeder. It is not a carnivore type and
feeds while stationary or moving slowly. While feeding, cilia of oral groove beat more
strongly then the body cilia forming a vortex. Food particles are soaked with the water
current into the oral groove and then flow to the vestibule from where by means of
ciliary tract, the food is directed to buccal cavity. Not all particles are actually ingested,
some get rejected before entering the vestibule so Paramecium is called selective
feeder. The selected food then goes to the cytostome through the ciliary movements of
endoral membrane, quadrulus and peniculus lining the buccal cavity. Food particles
accumulate at the end of the cytopharynx, which opens into endoplasm from which
food vacuoles are formed. Food vacuole formation takes about 1-5 minutes depending
on food supply. These food vacuoles circulate around the body along a definite course
by a low steaming movement of cytoplasm called cyclosis. Digestion of food particles
occurs during the process, accompanied by changes in pH. Digestive juices containing
enzymes (proteases, carbohydrases, esterases etc) are secreted by lysosomes into food
vacuoles, the pH of which turns from alkaline to acidic and then to alkaline again.
Cyclosis also helps in distribution of digested food material to all body parts. Reserve
food is stored in the form of glycogen and fat droplets in the endoplasm. The
undigested residual material is eliminated from the body through anal pore or
cytopyge. About 15% of ciliates are parasitic and there are many ecto- and
endocommensals. Some ciliates like P. bursaria display symbiotic relationships with
algae.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: Respiration is through semi permeable membrane,
pellicle. Oxygen rich water is taken in while the metabolic waste products pass through
pellicle by the process of osmosis or are eliminated by contractile vacuole.
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM:
Osmoregulation: Contractile vacuoles are found in both marine and fresh water
species. In some species a single vacuole is located near the posterior, but many
species possess more than one vacuole. In Paramecium, one vacuole is located at both
the posterior and anterior of the body. The contractile vacuoles contract and expand at
regular intervals. Water from cytoplasm is gathered by 6 to 10 radiating canals, which
converge and discharge into each contractile vacuole. When the vacuole has grown to
its maximium size, it bursts and discharges to the exterior probably through an opening
in the pellicle.
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM: Ciliates differ from almost all other organisms in
possessing two distinct types of nuclei – a usually large macronucleus and one or two
small micronuclei. Macronucleus is also called Vegetative nucleus as it is not essential
in sexual reproduction and is responsible for normal metabolism, for mitotic division
and for control of cellular differentiation. It has about 100 to 1000 times more DNA
than micronucleus. DNA in micronucleus is not organized into chromosome but into
gene size units. The amplification of genes in macronucleus increases the rate of
synthesis of gene products which are to be utilized in the assembly of complex ciliate
organelles.
Paramecium, under good conditions of food, reproduces asexually by transverse
binary fission. It also undergoes sexual reproduction by means of conjugation,
autogamy, cytogamy, endomixis, hemixis under adverse conditions like scarce food
supply.
a) Asexual Reproduction/ Transverse Binary Fission: Under normal conditions,
asexual reproduction is always by means of binary fission which is typically
transverse, the division plane cutting across the kineties-the longitudinal rows of cilia
and basal bodies. This is in contrast to the symmetrogenic fission of flagellates in
which the plane of division cuts between the rows of basal bodies (Fig. 9). To begin
with, Paramecium stops feeding and its oral groove disappear. Micronucleus divides
by the complicated process of mitosis. Macronucleus divides amitotically by simply
becoming elongated and constricted in the middle. Meanwhile, a transverse
constriction forms around the middle of the body and continues to grow deeper
ultimately dividing the cytoplasm into two halves or daughter Paramecia, the anterior
one called the Proter and the posterior Ophisthe. Each daughter receives one
contractile vacuole from the parent and forms a second contractile vacuole de novo.
Thus two daughter Paramecia, almost equal sized and each with a complete set of cell
organelles are obtained from a single parent. These grow to full size before dividing
again by fission. The process of binary fission gets completed in 30-120 minutes
depending upon food availability and temperature. All the individuals produced from
one individual are called clones.
b) Sexual Reproduction: Of all the sexual processes occurring in Paramecium, the
most common is Conjugation. In conjugation, two sexually compatible members of a
particular species adhere commonly in the oral or buccal region of the body. Following
the initial attachment, there is degeneration of trichocysts and cilia and a fusion of
membranes in the region of contact. Two such fused ciliates are called Conjugants
(Fig. 10). Attachment lasts for several hours. During this period, a reorganization and
exchange of nuclear material occurs. Only micronuclei are involved in conjugation; the
macronucleus breaks up and disappears during or following micronuclear exchange.
This step involved in exchange of micronuclear material between two conjugants is
constant. After two meiotic divisions of the micronuclei, all but one of them
degenerates. This one then divides, producing the gametic micronuclei that are
genetically identical. One is stationary; the other migrates into the opposite conjugant.
There the gamete’s nuclei fuse with one another to form a zygote nucleus or
synkaryon Shortly after nuclear fusion, the two ciliates separate, each is now known as
exconjugant. Each exconjugant then restores its normal nuclear condition without any
cytosomal division. However, in P. caudatum, which also possesses a single nucleus of
each type, the synkaryon divides three times, producing eight nuclei. Four becomes
micronuclei and four become macronuclei. Three of the micronuclei degenerate. The
remaining micronucleus divides during each of the subsequent cytosomal divisions and
each of the four resulting offspring cells receives one macronucleus and one
micronucleus. In those species that have numerous nuclei of both types, there is no
cytosomal division; the synkaryon merely divides a sufficient number of times to
produce the requisite number of macronuclei and micronuclei.
The frequency of conjugation is extremely variable. The significance of the process
lies in nuclear reorganization which helps in rejuvenescence and is necessary for
continued asexual fission. If nuclear reorganization does not occur, the asexual or
clonal line dies out, apparently because of decline in function of macronucleus. The
periodic occurrence of conjugation however ensures inherited variation.
Another type of nuclear reorganization called Autogamy or Self fertilization is
also common in which two micronuclei of the same organism fuse together forming a
synkaryon. The macronucleus degenerates and the micronucleus divides a number of
times to form eight or more nuclei. Two of these nuclei fuse to form a synkaryon and
the others degenerates and disappear. The synkaryon then divides to form a new
micronucleus and macronucleus as occurs in conjugation.
Cytogamy resembles conjugation in that two Paramecia temporarily fuse by
their oral surfaces. The early nuclear divisions are also similar to that of conjugation
but there is no nuclear exchange between two individuals and no cross fertilization.
The two gametic nuclei in each parent are said to fuse to form synkaryon as in
autogamy.
Endomixis involves total internal reorganization without amphimixis, within a
single individual in a culture of pedigreed race of Paramecium taking place in absence
of conjugation. Endomixis occurs only in certain lower ciliates.
Hemixis involves division of macronucleus into two to many unequal
fragments to be absorbed by the cytoplasm. Its significance is not clear.
Encystment: Most ciliates are capable of forming resistant cysts in response to
unfavorable conditions, such as lack of food or desiccation. It also provides a condition
in which the organism can be transported by wind or in mud on the feet of birds or
other animals. Paramecium doesnot undergo encystment.
Entamoeba
The members of the subphylum, Sarcodina, include those protozoa in which adult
posses flowing extensions of the body called pseudopodia. Pseudopodia are temporary
projections of the body surface and the cytoplasm that function for locomotion and
feeding. To this subphylum belong the familiar amoeba and many other marine,
freshwater and terrestrial texas. The sarcodina are usually microscopic. Parasites of
this order are usually much smaller then the well known free living Ameoba proteus,
many average 10 µm in diameter and many are usually only seen only in the cyst stage.
Most of the species have only one nucleus except in the cyst form.
The Genus Entamoeba that belongs to order Amoebida, is usually found in the
intestine of invertebrates and vertebrates. Of all the parasitic species of amoeba
infecting men, the most dangerous and the widespread is Entamoeba histolytica.
Besides men, it is also common in the apes, monkeys and may also be found in pigs,
dogs, cats and rats. It occurs as two races or strains: a smaller common non pathogenic
form and much larger virulent form. About 400 million people are infected with
Entamoeba histolytica but only fractions of them have its symptoms. The incidence of
amoebic dysentery or amoebiasis caused by this parasite is high in Mexico, China,
India and parts of South America.
It is generally found in the mucous and sub mucous layers of the large intestine of man
and has both histolytic and cytolytic powers. It secretes a toxic substance which
dissolves and destroys the mucous lining of the intestine. It gradually receeds from the
dead tissue towards healthy mucosa thus burrowing deeper into the gut wall. In chronic
cases the parasite may enter the venous circulation and is arrested in liver, lungs, brain,
and spleen leading to secondary complications.
Mature, motile Entamoeba histolytica averages about 25µm in diameter (Fig. 11 A, B).
The cytoplasm consists of a clear ectoplasm and finely granular endoplasm. The
endoplasm may include food vacuoles filled with red blood cells in various stages of
digestion. Clear vacuoles may also be present. Movement is usually irregular
associated with pseudopodia. Entamoeba histolytica is monopodial. The food includes
bacteria or other organic material found in the intestine. Red blood cells are only found
in pathogenic forms.
LIFE CYCLE AND REPRODUCTION:
E. histolytica is monogenetic as whole life cycle is completed in a single host. Man and
monkeys are the natural hosts of E. Histolytica. Wild rats and dogs are supposed to be
the reservoir host and possible source of infection to man.
In its life cycle, Entamoeba histolytica passes through three distinct morphological
stages or forms (1) trophozoite (2) precystic (3) cystic.
Trophozoite Stage: Also called Trophic or magna form, it is active motile growing and
feeding form, which is pathogenic to man. It is colorless, transparent and irregular
mass of living substance about 20-30 µm in diameter and resembles common amoeba
in structural details. Body is covered with thin transparent, plasma lemma that encloses
a body cytoplasm which is distinguished into an outer, clear, non granular ectoplasm
and inner granular endoplasm. Endoplasm has a single nucleus and several food
vacuoles (Fig. 12a). Reproduction occurs only in the trophic form. The trophozoite
multiplies asexually by simple binary fission, within the walls of the large intestine.
Precystic Stage: This is also called the Minute Form as the organism is smaller in size
ranging from 10-20µ in diameter. It generally forms after a period of feeding and
reproduction. Vacuoles disappear and amoebas become rounded. Soon a cyst wall
begins to form, these uninucleate stages are Precysts. Endoplasm is free of RBCs (Fig.
12b). The minute form lives only in the lumen of large intestine and is seldom found in
tissues. It is non-parasitic and non-feeding stage and is non-pathogenic to man. It
develops into trophozoite stage by penetrating the mucosa and submucosa of host
intestine, ingesting RBCs and growing in size.
Cystic Stage: The stage involves the division of uninucleated form into binucleated and
finally tetranucleated or quadrinucleated cyst (Fig. 12c). Mature quadrinucleate cysts
are most infective stage of the parasite which is unable to develop in the host in which
they are produced. Hence they require the transference to fresh susceptible hosts.
These cysts, if kept moist, can live for a week to a few months, depending on
temperature. They are killed by drying. The tetranucleated cysts pass out of the body
with feces and become the infective stage. They appear as minute, shinning greenish,
refractile spheres. Forty five million cysts may be discharged in the feces of one
infected person in one day. Cysts normally enter a new host in drinking water or food.
They may be carried mechanically by such insects as flies and cockroaches or by
people with unclean hands.
Encystment: Encystment or Encystation is the process of transformation of
trophozoites to cysts. The precystic forms undergo encystations only in the lumen of
large intestine and never within the tissues. The whole process gets completed within
few hours.
Excystation: When eaten by a new host, a cyst is carried to the small or large intestine,
where it escapes the confinement of the cyst wall. The process of transformation of
cyst to trophozoites is Excystation. It starts with increased activity of amoeba within its
cyst which occurs only when the cyst reaches small intestine as cyst wall is resistant to
action of gastric juices of stomach. In small intestine, the cyst wall dissolves by the
action of trypsin and excystation follows. As a result, a single tetranucleate amoeba
called metacystic form gets liberated (Fig. 12d).
Metacyst: Metacyst undergoes series of nuclear and cytoplasmic divisions producing
eight little uninucleate daughter amoebula called metacystic trophozoites. The young
amoebulae, being actively motile, make their way into large intestine, invading the
mucous lining and grow into mature trophozoites.
PATHOGENICITY:
Entamoeba histolytica is the parasite causing diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis, liver
abscesses etc. in man. All these conditions, caused due to the infection by the parasite
in man are collectively called Amoebiasis.
Amoebic dysentery: It is the condition in which infection is confined to intestine and is
characterized by passage of blood and mucous in stool. The trophozoites of E
histolytica secrete a proteolytic enzyme, histolysin that cause dissolution and necrosis
of mucosa and submucosa of large intestine. These areas of destruction are called
ulcers which bleed profusely.
Chronic intestinal amoebiasis: Persons with strong resistance or those who suffer
repeated attacks of amoebic dysentery are the victims of chronic intestinal amoebiasis.
The person suffers regular diarrhea, bowel irregularities, pseudoconstipation,
abdominal pain, headache, nausea, loss of appetite. Persons suffering from chronic
intestinal amoebiasis acts as a carrier of disease.
Abscesses: When trophozoites reach other parts of body like liver, lung, brain etc.
through blood circulation, it leads to destruction of these tissues and formation of
abscesses.
The percentage of clinical amoebiasis compared to that of infection rate is low. A
reason for the occasional change from commensal amoebas to pathogenic amoebas has
yet to be determined. An alternation of host diet, an increase of host cholesterol,
changes in the level of host sexual hormones, high ambient temperatures are all
suggested to trigger the process.
Symptoms include vomiting, mild fever, diarrhea, blood and mucous in feces,
tenderness over the sigmoidal region of colon and hepatitis.
CONTROL AND TREATMENT:
Personal hygiene and municipal hygiene can prevent the occurrence of amoebiais.
Most animal and people apparently possess a natural resistance to amoebic infection as
indicated by the large percentage of infected hosts without amoebiasis. According to a
number of references, the recommended treatment for acute intestinal amoebic
infections is metronidazole or tinidazole, followed by a course of a luminal amoebicide
such as diloxanide furoate to eliminate cyst in the intestine and prevent reinfection.

Plasmodium
Plasmodium belongs to class Sporozoa. It lives in vertebrate tissue and blood cells and
are transmitted by an insect vector. Schizogony occurs in vertebrate host, where as
sporogony occurs in insect. Hence life cycle involves alteration of generation. No
special organ of locomotion like flagella or cilia is present.
Over 100 species of Plasmodium parasitize a wide range of vertebrates, including
birds, reptiles and mammals; however four are known to infect man causing different
kinds of malaria. These are
P. malariae
P. vivax
P. falciparum
P. oval
Of all the diseases of mankind, malaria is one of the most widespread, best known and
most devastating. It played a key role in the history of civilization because many areas
of earth have been subjected to its ill effects leading to destruction and death caused by
the parasite. Transmission of malaria takes place by female Anopheles mosquito (Fig.
13) and was first discovered by Sir Ronald Ross, an English army physician who was
awarded Nobel Prize in 1902 for this discovery.
LIFE CYCLE:
P. vivax is digenetic. It lives in the RBCs and parenchyma cells of liver of man, its
primary host and in the alimentary canal and salivary glands of mosquito, its secondary
or intermediate host (Fig. 14).
Asexual Reproduction of P. vivax in Man:
The human invasion begins as follows:
Infection: When sporozoites are introduced into the blood of man with the bite of an
infected female Anopheles mosquito, a series of cycle begins that involves different
cells and tissues. While feeding mosquito punctures the skin by its beak like proboscis
and injects some saliva which has anticoagulant. Along with this, thousands of
sporozoites are also introduced into human blood at a single bite. This begins asexual
phase of the parasite in man.
Sporozoites: These are minute slightly curved sickle shaped organism tapering at two
ends and represent the infective stage of the parasite. They are 14 µ long and 1 µ broad
and move with vibratory and gliding movements.
Liver Schizogony: Sporozoites disappear from blood stream and promptly enter
reticulo-endothelial cells lining sinusoid or liver capillaries where they undergo
schizogony that includes two phases
Pre erythrocyte phase: Inside liver cells it becomes a spherical & non pigmented
trophozoite called cryptozoite. Its nucleus divides many times and in 8-9 days it grows
into multinucleate schizont which ruptures to liberate tiny uninucleate
cryptomerozoites into the liver space. They may either pass into blood to attack RBCs
or enter fresh liver cells to continue exo-erythrocytic cycle. The duration between
initial sporozoite infection and first appearance of parasite in blood is Pre-patent period
Exo-erythrocyte phase: After reentering a liver cell each cryptomerozoite is called
metacryptozoites which undergoes schizogony to produce several thousand
metacryptomerozoites. The smaller sized ones re-enter RBCs to start erythrocyte cycle
This reentering of cryptomerozoites does not occur in the cycle of Plasmodium
falciparum and recrudescence is absent in falciparum malaria.
Erythrocyte Schizogony: When either pre-erythrocyte or exo-erythrocytic cryptozoite
or crypto-merozoite attacks the RBC, the erythrocytic phase starts. Each merozoite
burrows in a RBC and assumes a rounded disc like shape with a single large nucleus.
Soon a vacuole appears in the parasite that pushes the nucleus to one side. In stained
smears, the nucleus appears red, with ring-shaped blue cytoplasm, hence the name
“signet-ring” given to the parasite at this stage. This trophozoite stage grows at the
expense of hemoglobin of RBC of host which gets decomposed into aminoacids and
hematin which are used by the parasite to synthesize its own proteins. The ring
configuration alters as the plasmodia begin to grow within the blood cells. Corpuscles
becomes larger, double its original size and slightly paler due to loss of hemoglobin.
Full grown mature trophozoite almost completely fills the enlarged corpuscle and now
becomes a schizont, ready to multiply asexually by a process called erythrocytic
schizogony or merogony. The nucleus of schizont divides by multiple fission to form
daughter nuclei and many small uninucleate cells termed the erythrocytic merozoite or
schizoites are formed, arranged like the petals of rose flower or cluster of grapes and
this stage is called rosette stage. After sometimes, the cell membrane of RBC bursts
and merozoites with toxic products are set free in blood plasma which reinfect RBC.
Destruction of RBC eventually causes the patient to become anemic. Fever occur every
48-72 hrs corresponding with fresh release of merozoites in blood.
Incubation Period: The interval between mosquito bite or introduction of sporozoites in
human blood and first appearance of malarial symptoms is called “incubation period”
and it ranges from 8-40 days.
Formation of gametocytes: After repeated schizogony, parasite number increases so
much that they either lead to acute anemia or death of host. However food shortage or
host immunity could cut short the existence of parasite. Consequently, schizogony is
replaced by sexual phase with the production of gametocytes or gamonts. Some of the
merozoites in the blood cells develop into sexual forms that grow into male
microgametocytes or female macrogametocytes. When a mosquito bites man at this
stage of the life cycle, the gametocytes are taken into the insect’s stomach where they
mature into male and female gametes.
Sexual Reproduction of P. vivax in mosquito:
Following the transfer of gametocytes into mosquito, the process of gametogony or
gametogenesis starts. If the mosquito is female Anopheles, the gametocytes alone resist
the action of digestive juices and survive while all other accompanying stages get
digested. The rupture of RBCs in mosquito’s stomach sets free the gametocytes which
develop into gametes which are of two types-
Microgametes: Liberated microgametes are very active. The nucleus divides
mitotically into 6-8 haploid fragments. At the same time 6-8 flagellums like long
threads of cytoplasm pushout from the surface of gametocytes into which each
daughter nuclei passes. These are male gametes or microgametes. Their formation is
called exflagellation. The detached microgametes behave like the sperm cells of higher
animals. By their lashing movements, they swim in the blood in stomach of mosquito
to meet female gamete.
Macrogamete: They undergo slight reorganization to turn into female gametes, which
are ready for fertilization.
Following attraction of male gametes to female gametes, they undergo fertilization to
form a zygote. Zygote after sometimes becomes elongated and motile and perform
writhing and gliding movement and is called vermicule or ookinete. It pierces through
the epithelial lining of mosquito stomach and comes to lie against the basement
membrane. Encystment of zygote ensues. Encysted zygote is called oocyst or sporont.
Oocyst is diploid. It enters asexual multiplication known as sporogony. This sporogony
phase of the life cycle requires 7 to 10 days and during this time, the infectivity of
sporozoites increases more than 10,000 times. Sporozoites invade the entire mosquito-
many of them enter the salivary glands and are in favorable position to infect next host
(man) when mosquito feeds on its blood and cycle starts again.
PATHOGENICITY:
Plasmodium is non-pathogenic in mosquito. Despite utilizing host’s nutritive
resources, it does not bring harm to the mosquito. However, in man infection with
Plasmodium leads to malaria. Clinical signs and symptoms associated with several
human plasmodial infections are similar but may differ as regards the intensity. One
characteristic response of human hosts is the paroxysm, which begins with chills
followed by a gradually mounting fever that may reach 41ºC (106ºF). Profuse
perspiration may last a few hours as the temperature subsides. The entire paroxysm
lasts from 6 to 10 hours and occurs every third day in P. vivax, P. falciparum and P.
ovale infections. Paroxysms associated with malariae malaria are quartan because they
occur every 72 hrs; with forth day chills and fever are thought to be triggered by the
release of pyrogenic agents during the sporulation process. Falciparum malaria is the
most pathogenic of all the malarias due to pernicious malaria and blackwater fever
caused by it. It is commonly fatal, especially in children and elderly. Symptoms
include uncontrollable shivering, high fever and finally profuse sweating. Other
symptoms include headache, bone and muscle pains, malaise, anxiety, mental
confusion and ever delirium. Severe anemia and leucopenia are common.
In chronic malaria infections, liver and spleen become enlarged and jaundice may
follow.
One could not however explain the ethnic differences in malaria. White people are
more susceptible to malaria and blacks have greater tolerance. An abnormal condition
in man called “sickle cell anemia” provides protection against Falciparum malaria.
PREVENTION AND TREATMENT:
In spite of the tremendous advances in malaria research made over the past decade,
many basic problems are still unsolved. Masses of people in tropic and semi tropic
countries lack economic resources to combat the mosquito menace or to treat the
affected patients. There is shortage of well-trained specialists in epidemiology and
entomology who understand malaria. To add to the woes, mosquitoes are increasingly
becoming resistant to insecticides. The need of the hour is therefore to control the
occurrence of malaria which can be achieved by
Destruction of Anopheles mosquito
Prophylaxis or Prevention of infection
Treatment of infection
Destruction of Anopheles’ larvae can be achieved by eradicating the breeding places of
mosquito which include the stagnant water such as ponds, pits, puddles, gutters, drains,
tin cans, cisterns, barrels or old tyres etc. Wherever or whenever it is not possible to
remove water, a thin film of oil can be sprayed on the water surface. The insect larvae
could also be destroyed by chemical treatment or by biological methods using larvicide
fishes like Gambusia. The adult mosquito could be killed by fumigation using sulphur,
pyrethrum, cresol, tercamphor etc or by spraying insecticides including DDT,
gammexane, pyrethrum, malathion etc.
Prophylaxis or prevention of infection can be achieved by putting screens on all the
doors, windows and ventilators of the houses. One can use mosquito-nets to prevent
mosquito-biting during night. Use of mosquito repellent creams as well as repellent
mats, coils etc help in protection against mosquito bites. One should maintain good
hygienic surroundings as well as eat healthy food to maintain a healthy body which
minimizes chances of infections.
Treatment of Malaria is by synthetic drugs like Quinine, Camoquin, Chloroquin,
Pentaquine etc. Quinine is a natural alkaloid extracted from the bark of the cinchona
tree grown in Java, Peru, Sri Lanka and India. It had been used effectively to combat
malaria for the last 300 years. Several synthetic derivatives of the drug are currently in
use and have been successful in combating malaria to an extent. Therapy with a
particular drug is generally done, keeping certain aims in mind. In order to allevate
symptoms, chloroquine, quinine, pyrimethamine etc. are given; to prevent relapses,
primaquine is given; to prevent the gametocyte’s spread, primaquine is given for P.
falciparum and chloroquine for all other species.
Trypanosoma
This group of flagellates consists of mostly symbiotic (commensal, parasitic or
mutualistic) while some are free living as well. The group is a large and varied
assemblage of flagellates.
Of all the parasitic Kinetoplastids, the most notorious belong to the genus
Trypanosoma. These are blood parasites of vertebrates, but most of them are
transmitted by invertebrate vectors. Multiplication of the flagellates takes place in the
digestive tract of the vectors. Man has three species of trypanosomas as parasites-
Trypanosoma gambiense, T. rhodesiense and T. cruzi. In case of T. rhodesiense and T.
gambiense causing African sleeping sickness, the Tsetse flies, Glossina palpalis, serve
as vectors injecting the infective stage when they bite (Fig. 15). T. cruzi causes
Chagas’ disease in tropical America, bugs transmitting the disease by leaving the
flagellates with fecal material near the punctures they make. If the flagellates get into
the wound or penetrate a mucous membrane of the eye, a new infection may get
established.
Trypanosoma gambiense is unicellular, microscopic, slender, leaf-like,
flattened, colorless and actively wriggling flagellate (Fig. 16). It measures 10-40µ in
length and 2.5-10µ in width. The spindle-shaped body remains spirally twisted and
pointed at both the ends. The parasite migrates through the body by way of the blood.
Normal habitats are the blood plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, lymph nodes and spleen.
Mouth is lacking in Trypanosoma which obtains its nourishment by osmosis
from blood plasma. Gaseous exchange in respiration and elimination of excretory
products also occur by diffusion through the body surface. Sexual reproduction is
totally absent.

LIFE CYCLE AND REPRODUCTION:

T. gambiense is digenetic i.e. life cycle gets completed in two hosts; primary or
principal host is the man in which the parasite feeds and multiplies asexually (Fig. 17).
The secondary or intermediate host is a blood sucking Tsetse fly where further
multiplication occurs and which transmits it from one principal host to another so it is
also called carrier or vector host. Mammals like pigs, buffalo etc. act as reservoir of the
parasite.
Life cycle in man: An infected fly on biting a healthy person, transmits the parasites
into his blood. The parasite is found in blood plasma and never inside the blood cells.
The trypanosomes, which initiate infection in man, are devoid of free flagellum
(metacyclic form) and soon they get transformed into long slender forms which are
free swimmers. Parasite multiplies by longitudinal splitting. Following multiplication,
it undergoes metamorphosis and turns into a short stumpy form which lacks a
flagellum and is non-feeding. As the host develops sufficient antibodies, they
eventually die unless ingested by a Tsetse fly with the blood meal.
Life cycle in Tsetse fly: When the blood of an infected person is sucked by the Tsetse
fly, the short, stumpy forms go into the intestine of the insect where they change into
long, slender form. In the intestine of the fly, the parasite reproduces and forms both
epimastigotes and trypomastigotes. After two weeks or more in the gut of the fly, the
flagellates migrate to the salivary glands, where they become attached to the
epithelium and develop into the infective stage. When the fly bites a person to feed, it
transfers the metacyclic forms, along with saliva, into its blood, where they initiate
another infection. The cycle in Tsetse fly requires 20 to 30 days and a temperature
between 75ºF to 85ºF for completion.
PATHOGENICITY:
The Gambian or chronic form of sleeping sickness in man primarily involves the
nervous and lymphatic systems. There may also be invasion of dermis. A dark red
button-like or larger lesion forms around the wound caused by the bite of an infected
Tsetse, followed by local itching and irritation. After an incubation period of one or
two weeks, fever, chills, headache, loss of appetite usually occurs, especially in non-
natives. As time goes on, enlargement of spleen, liver and lymph nodes occurs,
accompanied by weakness, skin eruptions, disturbed vision and a reduced pulse rate.
The infection leads to meningoencephalomyelitis and hemolysis. As the nervous
system is invaded by the parasites, the symptoms include definite signs of “sleeping
sickness”. A patient readily falls asleep. Coma, emaciation and often death complete
the course of disease, which may last for several years. The mortality rate is high.
CONTROL:
The control could be by treatment of the disease or by following prophylactic
measures. If the disease is diagnosed early, the chances of cure are high. The type of
treatment depends on the phase of the disease: initial or neurological. Success in the
latter phase depends on having a drug that can cross the blood-brain barrier to reach
the parasite. Bayer 205 (also available as Antrypol, Germanin, Suramin) and
Pentamidine or closely related medicine lomidine are used in early stages of infection
(before the parasite invades the nervous system). Once the parasite has reached the
nervous tissue, an arsenic compound called Tryparsamide is used. Malarsoprol or
Melarsen oxides are also commonly used. Each of these drugs, however, requires
careful monitoring to ensure that the drugs themselves do not cause serious
complications such as fatal hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction, kidney or liver damage,
or inflammation of the brain. Nitrofurazone is also recommended when the person has
arsenic resistance.
Prophylactic measures include killing of the fly by using insecticides like DDT and
also removing its habitats in bushes and low trees along the rivers. A single
intramuscular injection of 4mg/kg of Pentamidine remains effective for about 6 months
against the disease.
Leishmania
An important pathogenic Kinetoplastid genus, closely related to Trypanosoma is
Leishmania. It is responsible for serious diseases of man, cattle, dog, sheep, horse etc.,
collectively called Leishmaniasis. These are rounded or oval parasites (1.5 to 3.0 µm)
of invertebrates and vertebrates with a morphologically complex life cycle. Body
forms include a promastigote (leptomonad) form with a free flagellum and the
characteristic amastigote (leishmanial) form with no flagellum or where the flagellum
is never fully emerged (Fig. 18).
LIFE CYCLE:
The genus Leishmania is characterized by two different stages in its life cycle, each of
which occurs in a distinct host. The primary host is the vertebrate (man) while
secondary or intermediate host is an invertebrate (sandfly of the genus Phlebotomus).
The amastigote form is often called Leishman-Donovan body or L-D body, is found in
the cytoplasm of reticuloendothelial cells, monocytes and other phagocytic cells of the
vertebrate host (so far found in mammals and lizards). In this stage, the parasite
measures 2-5µm in diameter and may be rounded or oval in shape. Its cytoplasm is
often vacuolated. A few to 100 may occupy one cell and their reproduction is by binary
fission. Promastigotes are very similar to each other in almost all species.
Parasitized host cells rupture, liberating amastigotes that are engulfed by other
phagocytic cells. Biting sand flies pick up both free amastigotes and free parasitized
cells. In the midgut of the insect, the parasite becomes elongated with a large nucleus
and acquires a short free flagellum arising from a blephroplast located near the anterior
end of the body. It undergoes active reproduction and the infection, hence gets
established in the sandfly gut. This is the promastigote or leptomonad form. When the
infected sand fly bites again, promastigotes eventually reach the blood or other tissues
of the vertebrate host and are engulfed by phagocytic cells.

PATHOGENICITY:
All mammalian leishmania can infect man. Leishmania tropica, L. mexicana, and L.
braziliensis, predominantly leads to cutaneous leishmaniasis, an infection of
reticuloendothelial cells of the skin or of mucosae of mouth and nose, while L.
donovani causes visceral leishmaniasis, a killing disease. Infection occurs primarily in
spleen and liver and secondarily in bone marrow, intestinal villi and other areas. The
disease is called Kala-azar or dum dum fever.
L. tropica mainly attacks adults in North Africa, Asia including India, Russia, Europia
and Australia. It causes long running superficial cutaneous ulcers called “Oriental
Sores”.
L. braziliensis is present in most parts of tropic and subtropics regions of the New
World, ranging at least from Panama to Argentina. The most severe form of this
infection called “espundia” is endemic in the jungles of Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru etc.
The clinical form frequently involves mucous membranes of mouth, nose and pharynx
and may result in complete destruction of these tissues and associated cartilage. The
lesions are resistant to treatment.
L. mexicana occurs in some countries of Central and South America, principally
Mexico and Guyana. It causes a cutaneous lesion and does not spread to mucous areas.
Ear lesions are known as chiclero ulcers.
L. donovani lives as an intracellular parasite in leucocytes or cells of liver, spleen, bone
marrow, lymphatic glands etc. of men in east India, Assam, the Mediterranean areas,
southern Russia, north Africa, central Asia, northest Brazil, Colombia, Argentina,
Paraguay, El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico. It causes kala-azar or dum dum fever,
which is a rural disease with reservoirs of infection in dogs, foxes, rodents and other
mammals. The disease is characterized by a lengthy incubation period, an insidious
onset and a chronic course attended by irregular fever, increasing enlargement of the
spleen and of the liver, leucopenia, anemia and progressive wasting. The mortality is
high; death occurs in 2 months to 2 years. The most obvious physical signs are
progressive enlargement of the spleen and to some extent of liver. About two years
after the acute stage of Kala-azar occurs in the viscera, post kala-azar leishmaniasis
may appear, which are in the form of dispigmented areas of skin (so the name Kala-
black or fatal, azar-sickness) or modular lesions. Vector in this case is the sand fly,
Phlebotomus argentipes. The strain in children is sometimes called L. infantum.
CONTROL:
The control revolves around treatment of disease along with prophylactic measures.
Positive diagnosis relies on discovery of the parasite in infected tissues. For the
treatment of Leishmaniasis the currently used drugs are limited to four. The first line
compounds are the two pentavalent antimonials, sodium stibogluconate (Pentostam)
and meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime). If these drugs are not effective, the second
line compounds of pentamidine (Lomidine) and amphotericine B (Fungizone) are used.
Prophylaxis includes elimination of reservoir hosts. Stray dogs should be eliminated.
Insecticides should be used to control the sand flies.

Glossary
Autotrophic: Type of nutrition in which organic compounds used in metabolism are
obtained by synthesis from inorganic compounds.
Axopodium: Fine, needle-like pseudopodium that has a central bundle of microtubules.
Axoneme: Microtubules and other proteins that compose the inner core of flagella and
cilia.
Basal body: An organelle equivalent to a centriole at the base of flagellum and cilia.
Binary fission: Asexual division that produces two similar individuals.
Body ciliature: Cilia distributed over the general body surface of ciliates.
Calcareous: Composed of calcium carbonate.
Centriole: Microscopic cylindrical structure, composed of microtubules, which is
situated at each pole of the mitotic spindle and is distributed during mitosis. There it
may function as a basal body and give rise to a flagellum or cilium.
Centrosome: Structure from which bundles of microtubules radiate outwards.
Cilium: Characteristic of many protozoan and metazoan cells, a motile outgrowth of
the cell surface that is typically short and its effective stroke is stiff and oar-like.
Conjugant: One of a pair of fused ciliates in the process of exchanging genetic
material.
Contractile vacuole: Large spherical vesicle responsible for osmoregulation in
protozoans and some sponge cells.
Cytostome: Cell mouth
Cyst: A parasite surrounded by a resistant wall or membrane (the wall or membrane
constitutes the cyst)
Disease: A specific morbid process that has a characteristic set of symptoms, and that
may affect either the entire body or any part of the body.
Ectoparasite: A parasite that lives on the outside of its host.
Encystment: Forming resistant cysts in response to unfavorable conditions such as lack
of food or desiccation.
Endoparasite: A parasite that lives within its host.
Endoral membrane: Ciliate undulating membrane that runs transversely along the right
wall and marks the junction of the vestibule and buccal cavity.
Exconjugant: Ciliates that have separated after sexual reproduction.
Filopodium: Pseudopodium that is slender, clear and sometimes branched.
Filter feeding: A type of suspension feeding in which particles (plankton and detritus)
are removed from a water current by a filter.
Flagellum: A characteristic of many protozoan and metazoan cells; it is typically long
and its motion is a complex whip-like undulation.
Heterotrophic: Refers to the type of nutrition in which organic compounds used in
metabolism are obtained by consuming the bodies or products of other organisms.
Host: Living animal or plant harboring or affording subsistence to a parasite; also a cell
in which a parasite lodges.
Infraciliary system: The entire assemblage of ciliary basal bodies, or kinetosomes, and
the fibres that link them together in the cell cortex of ciliates.
Kinetosome: A ciliary or flagellar basal body.
Kinety: One row of cilia, kinetosomes, and kinetodesmata of ciliates.
Lobopodium: A pseudopodium that is rather wide with rounded or blunt tips, is
commonly tubular, and is composed of both ectoplasm and endoplasm.
Lorica: A girdle-like skeleton.
Macronucleus: Large, usually polyploidy, ciliate nucleus concerned with the synthesis
of RNA, as well as DNA, and therefore directly responsible for the phenotype of the
cell.
Membranelle: Type of ciliary organelle derived from two or three short rows of cilia,
all of which adhere to form a more or less triangular or fan-shaped plate.
Merozoites: Individuals produced by multiple fission of sporozoan trophozoites.
Metachrony: Wave pattern that results from the sequential coordinated action of cilia
or flagella over the surface of a cell or organism.
Micronucleus: Small, usually diploid, ciliate nucleus concerned primarily with the
synthesis of DNA. It undergoes meiosis before functioning in sexual reproduction.
Mutualism: An association whereby two species live together in such a manner that
their activities benefit each other.
Osmoregulation: The maintenance of internal body fluids at a different osmotic
pressure (usually higher) than that of the external aqueous environment.
Parapodium: Lateral, fleshy, paddle-like appendage on polychaete annelids.
Parasitism: An association between two specifically distinct organisms in which the
dependence of the parasite on its host is metabolic and involves mutual exchange of
substances; this dependence is the result of a loss of genetic information by the
parasite.
Pellicle: Protozoan “body wall” composed of cell membrane, cytoskeleton, and other
organelles.
Primary host: The host for the adult stage of a parasite. Definitive host.
Proboscis: Any tubular process of the head or anterior part of the gut, usually used in
feeding and often extensible.
Schizogony: Asexual reproduction by multiple or binary fission.
Siliceous: Composed of silica.
Sporogony: The production of sporoblasts by schizogony (in Sporozoa, Microspora,
Myxozoa).
Symbiosis: The living together of different species of organisms.
Symmetrogenic: Producing mirror-image daughter cells as a result of fission.
Synkaryon: Zygotic nucleus of ciliates.
Trophozoite: The motile stage of Protozoa.
Undulating membrane: Type of ciliary organelle that is a row of adhering cilia forming
a sheet.
Vector: An essential intermediate host, usually an arthropod, in which the parasite
undergoes a significant change.
Vegetative nucleus: Macronucleus.
Vestibules: Preoral chamber.

References:

Barnes, B.D. (1987). Invertebrate Zoology. 5th Edition, Saunders College Publishing.
Kotpal, R. L. (1988). Protozoa. Rastogi Publications
Marshall, A.J. and Williams, W.D. (1979). Text Book of Zoology Vol. I-Invertebrates,
Macmillan.
Noble, E. R. and Noble, G. A. (1982). Parasitology-The Biology of Animal Parasites,
Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia.
Ruppert, E.E. and Barnes, R.D. (1994). Invertebrate Zoology. 6th Edition, Saunders
College Publishing.
Webb, J.E., Wallwork, J.A. and Elgood, J. H. (1981). Guide to Invertebrate Animals,
English Language Book Society and Macmillan.
 contractile vacuole
cytopharynx
nucleus chloroplast

cytostome

pellicle
stigma

flagellum
paramylon granules

Fig.1 – Structure of Euglena

 A B

Fig.2a Fig.2b – Movement of Euglena

A.Base-to-tip undulation of flagellum
leading to “Pushing force”
B.Tip-to-base undulation of flagellum
leading to “Pulling force”

Fig.2c – Movement of flagellum

 5
1 2 3 4

Fig.2e – Euglenoid movement in Euglena

Effective stroke Recovery stroke

Fig.2d – Paddle stroke movement of Euglena

 flagellum

contractile vacuole

nucleus

Fig.3 – Binary Fission / Symmetrogenic division in Euglena

Food vacuole

trichocysts
anterior
contractile
vacuole

cilia

macro nucleus

micro nucleus

vestibule

posterior
contractile
vacuole

pellicle

Fig.4 – Structure of Paramecium caudatum

 cilium
alveolus
circumciliary space

alveolar cavity

basal body

trichocyst

Fig.5 – Pellicular system in Paramecium

central ciliary fibril

outer membranous sheath

peripheral microfibre

inner sheath

basal body

Fig.6 – Structure of cilium and basal body (L.S.)

 (A) (B)

(i)

(ii)

(C)

(D)

(E)

Fig.7 – Ciliary beating and locomotion in Paramecium caudatum

A. Cycle of ciliary beating (side view)
B. Path taken by ciliary tip during beat cycle (surface view)
C. Series of adjacent cilia in a metachronal wave in various stages of beat cycle
i. direction of effective stroke (solid arrow) is same as metachronal wave
(dashed arrow)
ii. direction of effective stroke (solid arrow) is opposite to metachronal
wave (dashed arrow)
D. Metachronal waves during forward swimming
E. Course of progression during locomotion
 endoral membrane

dorsal peniculus

ventral peniculus

quadrulus

cytostome
food vacuole

post buccal fibril

Fig.8 – Buccal Organelles of Paramecium

Oral groove
disappearing
amitotic division
of macronucleus mitotic division
of micronucleus Newly formed
oral groove
anterior contractile
vacuole

macronucleus
New
micronucleus contractile daughter paramecia
vacuole

posterior contractile
vacuole

Fig.9 – Asexual Reproduction / Binary fission in Paramecium caudatum

 Moving / migrant
micronucleus
Stationary
Degenerating III division (mitotic)
micronucleus
micronucleus macronucleus of micronucleus
macronucleus Synkaryon or
zygote nucleus

1 2 3 4 5 6
Fig.10 – Sexual Reproduction / Conjugation in Paramecium caudatum

plasmalemma

nucleus

food vacuole

pseudopodium

(A)

nucleus
ingested RBC

ingested bacteria

pseudopodium

(B)

Fig.11 – Entamoeba histolytica (A) Living trophozoite (B) Stained trophozoite

 (c)

(d)
(b)

(a)
Fig.12 – Life Cycle of Entamoeba histolytica
a) Trophozoite in lumen and mucosa of colon
b) Precystic stage
c) Cystic stage
d) Excystment in lower ileum

Fig.13– Anopheles mosquito (female)

 12 14

gametocytes
16

13 15
11 18

17
gamete
8
19
7
20

Erythrocyte
Schizogony 21
9
merozoite
6 Cycle in
Cycle in 22
Man Mosquito

5 Salivary glands

human
RBC 10
infection 23
sporozoite
4
cryptomerozoite 24

25

26
Liver
3 schizont 1 cell
Liver 2
Schizogony

Fig.14 - Life Cycle of malarial parasite Plasmodium vivax

1-13 Asexual reproduction in man (primary host)
1-3 Pre-erythrocytic cycle in liver cells
4-10 Erythrocytic cycle in RBC
11-13 Beginning of gametocyte
14-26 Sexual reproduction in mosquito (secondary host)
21 Zygote
22 Ookinete
23-26 Development of sporozoites
 Fig.15 – Tsetse fly (Glossina palpalis)

undulating membrane

flagellum nucleus basal body

kinetoplast

pellicle

Fig.16 – Structure of Trypanosoma gambiense

 RBC intermediate
form
slender form
stumpy form

in human
blood

IN MAN
metacyclic form
(20th day)
IN TSETSE FLY

crithidial form
(after 15th day)
in mid gut
after 48 hours
newly arrived form
(about 12th day)
forms in
salivary glands

slender form in proventriculus (after 10th day)

Fig.17 – Life Cycle of Trypanosoma gambiense

 vacuolated
cytoplasm

amastigote /
leishmanial form
Leucocytes of man

Mid gut of sand fly

Phlebotomus

flagellum

basal body
nucleus

promastigote /
leptomonad form

Fig.18 – Life Cycle of Leishmania donovani