Hint: Protozoa is a group of single-celled eukaryotes, either free-living or parasitic, which feed on organic matter such as other microorganisms or organic tissues and debris.
Historically, protozoans were regarded as "one-celled animals", because they often possess animal-like behaviours, such as motility and predation and lack a cell wall, as found in plants and many algae.
Protozoa are single celled organisms.
They have different shapes and sizes ranging from an Amoeba to Paramecium.
They live in freshwater, marine environments and the soil.
Some are parasitic in nature which means they can live in other plants and animals including humans to cause disease.
For example: Plasmodium which causes malaria.
They are motile and can move by:
3. Amoeboid movement
Diseases caused by protozoa are:
1. Malaria: It is a disease caused by a plasmodium transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes.
The severity of malaria varies based on the species of plasmodium.
Symptoms are chills, fever and sweating.
Treatment includes antimalarial drugs.
Kala-azar: A disease caused by infection with leishmania parasites.
Visceral leishmaniasis is spread by sand fly bites.
This type of leishmaniasis affects the internal organs mainly spleen, liver and bone marrow.
Symptoms may include fever, weight loss and swelling of the spleen or liver.
Amoebiasis also known as amoebic dysentery is an infection caused by the Entamoeba group.
Symptoms are most common during infection by Entamoeba histolytica.
Amoebiasis can be present with no symptoms, mild symptoms or severe symptoms.
Symptoms may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, or bloody diarrhea.