Trophozoite

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Trophozoite

Trophozoite (/ˈtroʊfəˌzoʊ.aɪt/; from the Greek trophē, meaning "nourishment", and zōon, meaning "animal") is a stage in the life cycle of certain parasites, particularly those that cause diseases in humans. This stage is characterized by active feeding and growth.

Etymology

The term "trophozoite" is derived from the Greek words trophē, which means "nourishment", and zōon, which means "animal". It was first used in the late 19th century to describe the active, feeding stage of parasitic protozoa.

Definition

A trophozoite is the active, motile, feeding stage of a protozoan parasite. In this stage, the parasite is free-living and absorbs nutrients from its host. This is in contrast to the cyst stage, where the parasite is dormant and protected by a hard shell.

Related Terms

  • Protozoa: A group of single-celled, eukaryotic organisms. Many protozoa are parasitic and can cause diseases in humans.
  • Parasite: An organism that lives on or in a host organism and gets its food from or at the expense of its host.
  • Cyst: In parasitology, a cyst is a dormant stage in the life cycle of certain parasites. During this stage, the parasite is enclosed in a protective wall.
  • Life cycle (biology): The series of changes in the life of an organism, including reproduction.

Diseases Associated with Trophozoites

Trophozoites are associated with several diseases in humans, including:

  • Amoebiasis: A disease caused by the amoeba Entamoeba histolytica. The trophozoite stage is responsible for the symptoms of this disease.
  • Giardiasis: A disease caused by the flagellate protozoan Giardia lamblia. The trophozoite stage is the feeding and growing stage of this parasite.
  • Malaria: A disease caused by Plasmodium species. The trophozoite stage is one of the stages in the life cycle of these parasites.

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