protozoan

(noun)

Any of the diverse group of eukaryotes, of the phylum Protozoa, that are primarily unicellular, existing singly or aggregating into colonies, are usually nonphotosynthetic, and are often classified further into phyla according to their capacity for and means of motility, as by pseudopods, flagella, or cilia.

Related Terms

Examples of protozoan in the following topics:

  • Syntrophy and Methanogenesis

    • For example, they may also associate with protozoans living in the guts of termites.
    • The protozoans break down the cellulose consumed by termites, and release hydrogen, which is then used in methanogenesis .
    • Methanogenic bacteria have a syntrophic relationship with protozoans living in the guts of termites.
    • The protozoans break down cellulose, releasing H2 which is then used in methanogenesis.

  • Purification of Drinking Water

    • Water is purified with filters to remove larger protozoans, and by chemical or UV disinfection to kill bacteria and other small pathogens.
    • Although chlorine is very effective against bacteria, it is not as effective against the cysts formed by protozoans (like giardia lamblia and cryptosporidium).
    • Ozone is widely used in Europe, and is an effective method to kill cysts formed by protozoans.
    • Ultraviolet Light is very effective at inactivating protozoan cysts, and will also kill bacteria and viruses.

  • Giardiasis

    • Giardiasis, sometimes referred to as beaver fever, is caused by the protozoan Giardia lamblia and results in diarrheal illness.
    • Giardiasis is a protozoan disease caused by Giardia lamblia.
    • The ability of the protozoan to block nutrient absorption can result in vitamin B12 deficiency.

  • Protozoa

    • Examples of human diseases caused by protozoa are malaria and the life cycle of the protozoan parasite facilitates infection and pathogenicity.
    • Protozoa (or protozoans) are a diverse group of unicellular eukaryotic organisms, many of which are motile.
    • The life cycle of protozoan are successful based on successful transmission between hosts and host and environment.
    • Infection and disease by protozoan parasites are often times associated with developing countries with poor hygiene and sanitation conditions that may promote transmission of these protozoa.

  • Synthetic Antimicrobial Drugs

    • An antimicrobial is a substance that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, or protozoans.
    • An antimicrobial is a substance that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, or protozoans .

  • The TORCH Panel of Tests

    • TORCH infections are a group of viral, bacterial, and protozoan infections that gain access to the fetal bloodstream from the mother.
    • They are a group of viral, bacterial, and protozoan infections that gain access to the fetal bloodstream through the placenta via the chorionic villi.

  • Antiprotozoan and Antihelminthic Drugs

    • The lack of similarities between protozoans demands the need for highly specific drugs and medications against individual pathogens.
    • Therefore, the drugs that are developed to target protozoans are classified by either their mechanism of action or the organism for which they target.
    • For example, Malaria is caused by the protozoan Plasmodia.

  • Cooperation Among Microorganisms

    • Methanogenic bacteria have a syntrophic relationship with protozoans living in the guts of termites.
    • The protozoans break down cellulose, releasing H2 which is then used in methanogenesis.

  • Chagas Disease (American Trypanosomiasis)

    • Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and transmitted via the reduviid bug.

  • Leishmaniasis

    • Leishmaniasis is caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania and presents itself in two forms: cutaneous or visceral leishmaniasis.