Introduction Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is the study of arthropods called?
Arthropodology
Includes various types such as Insecta, Arachnids, and Crustacea.
What are the main characteristics of Insecta?
6 legs, 3 body parts, 9 orders
Insects are a diverse group within the phylum Arthropoda.
How many legs do adult arachnids have?
8 legs
Arachnids also have 2 body parts.
What are examples of Acarines?
Mites, ticks
Acarines are a subclass of arachnids.
What type of organisms are Crustacea?
Aquatic
Crustaceans often act as intermediate hosts for various parasites.
What are Helminths?
Causal parasites that infect fish, reptiles, and amphibians
Helminths include various worm-like organisms.
What does Myriapoda include?
Centipedes, millipedes
Myriapods are characterized by having many legs.
What is the Linnaean Classification system?
A hierarchical classification scheme for organisms
Levels include Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species.
What is the mnemonic for Linnaean Classification?
King Philip Came Over For Good Spaghetti
This phrase helps remember the order of classification.
What is an aberrant parasite?
A parasite found in an unusual location
This can affect the parasite’s lifecycle and host interactions.
What defines a facultative parasite?
A free-living organism that can become a parasite
This type of parasite is not strictly dependent on a host.
What is the difference between a monoxenous and a stenoxenous parasite?
Monoxenous has one type of host; stenoxenous has a narrow range of hosts
Both terms relate to host specificity.
What is parasitism?
A relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another
This often involves harm to the host.
Define parasitosis.
Obvious injury or harm caused by a parasite
In contrast to parasitiasis, which may show no outward signs.
What is symbiosis?
A relationship where at least two different species live together
This can be temporary or permanent.
What are the classifications of hosts?
Definitive, Intermediate, Paratenic
Each classification reflects the role of the host in the parasite’s lifecycle.
What is a definitive host?
The host in which the parasite reaches maturity and reproduces
Essential for the completion of the parasite’s lifecycle.
What is an indirect life cycle?
Involves two or more hosts for growth and maturation
This contrasts with a direct life cycle, which has no intermediate host.
What are the types of helminths?
Platyhelminths, Nematodes, Acanthocephalans
Each type has distinct characteristics and life strategies.
What defines a protozoan?
Unicellular organisms that can be free-living or parasitic
Most protozoans are microscopic and motile.
What is an endoparasite?
A parasite that lives within the host
Common examples include nematodes and cestodes.
What is the difference between infestation and infection?
Infestation refers to ectoparasites; infection refers to endoparasites
Both terms describe the presence of parasites but in different contexts.
What are the effects of endoparasites on hosts?
Compete for nutrients, deplete resources, cause inflammation
These effects can lead to significant health issues.
What is a prepatent period?
The time from infection to the adult reproducing stage
This period is crucial for understanding the lifecycle of parasites.
