Microbiology: Parasitology and Protists Overview

Microbiology

Parasitology

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| Questions: 21 | Updated: Aug 4, 2025

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1. Define the terms parasitology and pathogen.

Parasitology: study of memory functions, pathogen: a harmless organism found in nature

Parasitology: study of weather patterns, pathogen: a non-living substance that causes illness

Parasitology: study of plants, pathogen: a type of treatment for diseases

Parasitology: study of organisms that live at the expense of their hostpathogen: a parasitic organism that causes disease

Parasitology specifically deals with organisms living off their host, while pathogens are disease-causing parasites.

Explanation

Parasitology specifically deals with organisms living off their host, while pathogens are disease-causing parasites.

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About This Quiz

Microbiology: Parasitology And Protists Overview - Quiz

This assessment focuses on the study of helminths as covered in Chapter 9 of Unit 2 Microbiology. It delves into the parasitological aspects of helminths, testing knowledge crucial for students and professionals in microbiology and related health sciences.

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2. Describe how the relationship between a parasite and its host develops over time.

The relationship between a parasite and its host always remains the same, without any changes.

Hosts eventually evolve to completely eliminate parasites.

If you looked at these relationships over long periods of time, you would see that parasites tend to become more... If you looked at these relationships over long periods of time, you would see that parasites tend to become more adapted to and less destructive of their hosts.

Over time, parasites become more harmful to their hosts.

The correct answer highlights the long-term trend of parasites becoming more adapted and less harmful to their hosts, showcasing a co-evolutionary relationship.

Explanation

The correct answer highlights the long-term trend of parasites becoming more adapted and less harmful to their hosts, showcasing a co-evolutionary relationship.

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3. Distinguish between a biological and mechanical vector.

A biological vector is a vector that does not involve any living organisms in the transmission of a parasite.

A biological vector transfers a parasite by physically carrying it from host to host.

A mechanical vector transmits a parasite through its bite.

A biological vector internalizes the parasite in between hosts. For example, the disease malaria is caused by a protozoan parasite... A biological vector internalizes the parasite in between hosts. For example, the disease malaria is caused by a protozoan parasite Plasmodium vivax. The biological vector which transmits the parasite from host to host is the Anopheles mosquito. When a mosquito bites a person with malaria, it can pick up the parasite and internalize it before transmitting it to a new host. A mechanical vector is a vector which physically or mechanically transfers a parasite from place to place. For example, imagine an ant crawling across dog "droppings" at the park and then across your picnic. If those droppings contained bacteria such as E. coli, they could be mechanically transferred to your food in this way.

Biological vectors internalize the parasite, while mechanical vectors physically transfer the parasite. The correct answer provides examples that illustrate these differences.

Explanation

Biological vectors internalize the parasite, while mechanical vectors physically transfer the parasite. The correct answer provides examples that illustrate these differences.

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4. What are the general characteristics of members of the Kingdom Protista?

The Kingdom Protista contains multicellular organisms.

The Kingdom Protista contains unicellular, eukaryotic microorganisms. Many of these them are colonial, meaning they will often associate with one... The Kingdom Protista contains unicellular, eukaryotic microorganisms. Many of these them are colonial, meaning they will often associate with one another to form a colony and divide the labor of the group. They are classified by their means of locomotion: some have pseudopodia, some have flagella, some have cilia and some have no means of locomotion.

Members of the Kingdom Protista are prokaryotic microorganisms.

All members of the Kingdom Protista have flagella for locomotion.

The correct answer describes the general characteristics of members of the Kingdom Protista as unicellular, eukaryotic microorganisms with various means of locomotion. The incorrect answers provided are inaccurate statements that do not align with the characteristics of the Kingdom Protista.

Explanation

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5. What role do Protists play in the study of microbiology?

Protists have no significance in microbiology.

They are significant to our study of microbiology as they play a crucial role in the food chain. They tend... They are significant to our study of microbiology as they play a crucial role in the food chain. They tend to consume members of the Kingdom Monera and are then consumed by larger, more complex organisms. In this way they participate in the "circle of life" of all living things in the environment.

Protists are not living organisms in microbiology.

Protists are harmful pathogens in microbiology.

Protists are significant in microbiology as they play an important role in the food chain by consuming certain microorganisms and serving as food for larger organisms, contributing to the ecosystem.

Explanation

Protists are significant in microbiology as they play an important role in the food chain by consuming certain microorganisms and serving as food for larger organisms, contributing to the ecosystem.

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6. What are some examples of diseases caused by protists?

Tuberculosis

Influenza

Common cold

Protists are also significant as many of them are pathogens causing diseases such as Malaria, Dysentery or Toxoplasmosis

Protists like Plasmodium, Entamoeba, and Toxoplasma are known to cause diseases like Malaria, Dysentery, and Toxoplasmosis respectively. The common cold, influenza, and tuberculosis, on the other hand, are caused by viruses or bacteria.

Explanation

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7. What are the general characteristics of the Kingdom Fungi?

Fungi reproduce only sexually and do not have the ability to reproduce asexually.

The Kingdom Fungi contains only multicellular molds and does not include any unicellular yeasts.

The Kingdom Fungi contains unicellular yeasts and multicellular molds. Some are considered saprophytic, living on decaying matter, such as the... The Kingdom Fungi contains unicellular yeasts and multicellular molds. Some are considered saprophytic, living on decaying matter, such as the fungi that grow on the decaying plant material in on forest floor. Some are considered truly parasitic, living at the expense of hosts that they infect. Fungi reproduce asexually by budding as well as sexually by producing spores. They are classified based on the types of spores they produce.

All fungi in the Kingdom Fungi are considered parasitic and do not participate in saprophytic activities.

The correct characteristics of the Kingdom Fungi include the presence of both unicellular yeasts and multicellular molds, the ability of some fungi to be saprophytic or parasitic, and the methods of asexual and sexual reproduction. The incorrect answers provided contradict these key features of fungi.

Explanation

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8. What is the significance of Fungi in Microbiology?

Fungi are significant to our study of microbiology for several reasons. They play a role in the "circle of life"... Fungi are significant to our study of microbiology for several reasons. They play a role in the "circle of life" by serving as decomposers. By breaking down dead matter, they replenish the soil so that soil-borne microorganisms will have nutrients and provide nutrients for plants to grow.They are also significant as natural producers of antibiotics. Remember the first antibiotic to be discovered by Alexander Flemming was penicillin, produced by the Penicillium mold.

Fungi have no relevance to microbiology.

Fungi are not studied in microbiology as they are not microorganisms.

Fungi are primarily responsible for causing food spoilage.

Fungi are significant in microbiology for their role as decomposers and producers of antibiotics, as explained in the correct answer.

Explanation

Fungi are significant in microbiology for their role as decomposers and producers of antibiotics, as explained in the correct answer.

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9. What are some examples of diseases caused by fungi?

Fungi primarily cause skin irritations but nothing more serious

Diseases caused by fungi are not common and do not pose a significant health threat

There are a variety of diseases caused by yeasts and molds known as mycoses. Yeasts such as Candida can cause... There are a variety of diseases caused by yeasts and molds known as mycoses. Yeasts such as Candida can cause diseases such as thrush or athlete's foot. Molds can cause severe respiratory diseases or even encephalitis.

Fungal diseases are easily treatable and rarely result in severe complications

Fungal diseases, known as mycoses, can range from mild skin conditions to serious respiratory or central nervous system infections. Yeasts and molds can be responsible for a variety of health issues and should be taken seriously.

Explanation

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10. What are some examples of medically important helminths?

Helminths are not medically important

There are many medically important helminths. Trichinella spiralis causes trichinosis which can be contracted from eating undercooked pork. Dirofilaria immitis... There are many medically important helminths. Trichinella spiralis causes trichinosis which can be contracted from eating undercooked pork. Dirofilaria immitis is the cause of heartworms in dogs. Elephant Man's Disease, caused by a Wucheria bancrofti infection, causes massive swelling in the lymph nodes which cannot drain properly due to the presence of these roundworms.

Helminths are only found in plants, not humans or animals

Helminths are only transmitted through direct contact with an infected person, not through food or vectors

Helminths are indeed medically important parasites that can affect both humans and animals causing various diseases. It is crucial to understand their significance in healthcare and take preventive measures to avoid infections.

Explanation

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11. What is the medical importance of arthropods and what are some examples of diseases they transmit?

Arthropods are relevant to our study of parasitology as many serve as vectors of disease transmission. Ticks, for example, can... Arthropods are relevant to our study of parasitology as many serve as vectors of disease transmission. Ticks, for example, can transmit viruses leading to encephalitis or the bacterium causing Lyme disease. Fleas can transmit the bacterium responsible for the Black Plague. Mosquitos can transmit the protozoan parasite responsible for Malaria or the virus which causes West Nile Fever.

Arthropods are only useful for scientific research and do not impact human health.

Arthropods are solely beneficial for environmental balance and do not pose any health risks.

Arthropods have no medical importance and do not transmit any diseases.

Arthropods play a significant role in disease transmission, making them an important area of study in parasitology. They can spread various infections and illnesses to humans through their bites.

Explanation

Arthropods play a significant role in disease transmission, making them an important area of study in parasitology. They can spread various infections and illnesses to humans through their bites.

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12. T/F A vector can be defined as an organism that transmits disease.

Not enough information

True

Partially true

False

In the context of diseases, a vector is an organism, typically an insect or tick, that transmits a pathogen from one host (human or animal) to another. Therefore, the statement is true.

Explanation

In the context of diseases, a vector is an organism, typically an insect or tick, that transmits a pathogen from one host (human or animal) to another. Therefore, the statement is true.

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13. A tick that transmits Lyme disease is an example of a biological vector.

False

Unknown

Not enough information

True

Ticks that transmit Lyme disease are classified as biological vectors as they play an active role in the transmission of the disease between hosts.

Explanation

Ticks that transmit Lyme disease are classified as biological vectors as they play an active role in the transmission of the disease between hosts.

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14. A fly that carries bacteria on its wings and transmits the bacteria by landing in your eye is a biological vector.

Not enough information to determine

True

False

Partially true

A biological vector is an organism that transmits a pathogen from one host to another. In this case, while the fly may carry bacteria on its wings, for it to be considered a biological vector, it needs to be able to transmit the bacteria through its bite or some other means. Simply landing in your eye would not constitute as a means of transmission.

Explanation

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15. Are Arthropods vectors of disease transmission?

Not enough information to determine

False

Partially true

False

Arthropods such as mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas are known vectors of various diseases, including malaria, Lyme disease, and bubonic plague.

Explanation

Arthropods such as mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas are known vectors of various diseases, including malaria, Lyme disease, and bubonic plague.

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16. Yeasts and molds are found in the kingdom Protista.

True

False

Not enough information

Partially true

Yeasts and molds are actually found in the kingdom Fungi, not in the kingdom Protista.

Explanation

Yeasts and molds are actually found in the kingdom Fungi, not in the kingdom Protista.

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17. Are flatworms and roundworms considered Protists?

Not enough information

True

Partially true

False

Flatworms and roundworms are actually considered a separate group of animals called Platyhelminthes and Nematoda, respectively, and are not part of the Protist kingdom.

Explanation

Flatworms and roundworms are actually considered a separate group of animals called Platyhelminthes and Nematoda, respectively, and are not part of the Protist kingdom.

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18. Are fungi sometimes saprophytic?

False

True

Partially true

Not applicable

Fungi can be saprophytic, meaning they obtain nutrients by decomposing dead organic matter. This is a characteristic common among many fungi species.

Explanation

Fungi can be saprophytic, meaning they obtain nutrients by decomposing dead organic matter. This is a characteristic common among many fungi species.

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19. Do helminths typically have jointed exoskeletons?

False

Partially true

True

Depends on the species

Helminths are a type of parasitic worm that do not have jointed exoskeletons. They have soft, elongated bodies instead.

Explanation

Helminths are a type of parasitic worm that do not have jointed exoskeletons. They have soft, elongated bodies instead.

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20. Do fungi sometimes produce antibiotics?

Maybe

False

True

I don't know

Fungi are known to produce antibiotics to compete with other microorganisms in their environment.

Explanation

Fungi are known to produce antibiotics to compete with other microorganisms in their environment.

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21. Malaria and toxoplasmosis are caused by fungi.

False

True

Partly True

Not Sure

Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted through mosquito bites, while toxoplasmosis is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Both diseases are not caused by fungi.

Explanation

Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted through mosquito bites, while toxoplasmosis is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Both diseases are not caused by fungi.

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