SPOROZOAN Meaning and
Definition
-
Sporozoan refers to a member of the phylum Sporozoa, a group of parasitic protozoans characterized by their complex life cycle involving both sexual and asexual stages. These microscopic organisms typically inhabit the cells or tissues of animals, including humans, and are known for their ability to cause various diseases.
Members of the phylum Sporozoa are eukaryotic organisms, meaning their cells contain a true nucleus. They lack locomotor structures such as flagella or cilia, and instead rely on other mechanisms, such as gliding or undulating motions, to move within their host's body. Sporozoans often possess specialized structures for attachment and penetration into host cells and tissues.
The life cycle of a sporozoan typically involves multiple stages. In the asexual stages, the organism undergoes processes such as schizogony or multiple fission, resulting in the formation of numerous daughter cells within the host's body. Specialized cells, called sporozoites, are formed during the sexual stages and are capable of infecting new hosts through various modes of transmission.
Some well-known examples of sporozoans include Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria, and Toxoplasma gondii, which causes toxoplasmosis. These organisms are of significant medical and veterinary importance due to their ability to cause a range of diseases affecting humans and animals.
In summary, sporozoans are parasitic protozoans belonging to the phylum Sporozoa, characterized by their complex life cycle involving sexual and asexual stages. They are microscopic organisms that typically infect the cells or tissues of animals, causing diseases of medical and veterinary concern.
-
1. Relating to the Sporozoa. 2. An individual cell of the Sporozoa, a sporozoon.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for SPOROZOAN
- aporozoan
- zporozoan
- xporozoan
- dporozoan
- eporozoan
- wporozoan
- soorozoan
- slorozoan
- s-orozoan
- s0orozoan
- spirozoan
- spkrozoan
- splrozoan
- spprozoan
- sp0rozoan
- sp9rozoan
- spoeozoan
- spodozoan
- spofozoan
Etymology of SPOROZOAN
The word "sporozoan" is derived from two Greek words: "sporos" meaning "seed" or "spore" and "zōion" meaning "animal".
In the earlier classification of living organisms, animals were classified as beings that move, while plants remained fixed. The sporozoans, now known as a group of parasitic protozoans, were considered to be at the boundary between plants and animals. They were classified as animals due to their ability to form spores for reproduction, which is characteristic of many animal groups.
Similar spelling words for SPOROZOAN
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
