Giardia

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Giardia

Giardia (/dʒiːˈɑːrdiə/ jee-AR-dee-ə) is a genus of anaerobic flagellated protozoan parasites of the phylum Sarcomastigophora that colonize and reproduce in the small intestines of several vertebrates, causing giardiasis. The parasite attaches to the epithelium by a ventral adhesive disc or sucker, and reproduces via binary fission.

Etymology

The term "Giardia" is derived from the name of French biologist Alfred Mathieu Giard, who first described the organism in the late 19th century.

Related Terms

  • Giardiasis: An infection in your small intestine caused by Giardia parasites.
  • Protozoan: A diverse group of unicellular eukaryotic organisms, many of which are motile.
  • Parasite: An organism that lives in or on an organism of another species (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the other's expense.
  • Binary Fission: A kind of asexual reproduction which is the most common form of reproduction in prokaryotes and occurs in some single-celled eukaryotes.
  • Sarcomastigophora: A phylum of protozoa, many of which are parasitic.

See Also

External links

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