Causal organisms of sleeping sickness and kala-azar belong to which of...
Trypanosom a gambiense, causes Gambian sleeping sickness. The parasite is transmitted by blood sucking tse-tse fly, Glossina palpalis. Leishmania donovani cause kala-azar or dum-dum fever (= visceral leishmaniasis). The parasite is transmitted by sandfly, Phlebotomus argentipes and other species. Causal organisms of bloth diseases belong to flagellated protozoans of kingdom Protista.
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Causal organisms of sleeping sickness and kala-azar belong to which of...
Causal organisms of sleeping sickness and kala-azar belong to which of the following groups of protozoan protists?
The correct answer is option 'B' - Flagellated protozoans.
Explanation:
Protozoans are a diverse group of single-celled eukaryotic microorganisms that belong to the kingdom Protista. They can be classified into various groups based on their mode of locomotion and other characteristics.
Sleeping sickness and kala-azar are two diseases caused by different species of protozoans. Let's discuss each of them in detail:
1. Sleeping Sickness:
Sleeping sickness, also known as African trypanosomiasis, is caused by the Trypanosoma brucei parasite. This parasite is a flagellated protozoan that belongs to the class Kinetoplastida. Trypanosoma brucei is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected tsetse flies. Once inside the human body, the parasite multiplies in the bloodstream and the lymphatic system, causing a variety of symptoms including fever, fatigue, headaches, and eventually leading to sleep disturbances, neurological problems, and even death if left untreated.
2. Kala-azar:
Kala-azar, also known as visceral leishmaniasis, is caused by the Leishmania donovani parasite. This parasite is also a flagellated protozoan that belongs to the class Kinetoplastida. Leishmania donovani is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected sandflies. Once inside the human body, the parasite invades the cells of the immune system, particularly macrophages, and causes a range of symptoms including prolonged fever, weight loss, enlargement of the spleen and liver, and anemia.
Both Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania donovani are flagellated protozoans, which means they possess one or more whip-like structures called flagella that enable them to move. These flagella help the parasites to swim through bodily fluids and invade host cells. Therefore, the causal organisms of sleeping sickness and kala-azar belong to the group of flagellated protozoans (option B).
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