The Animal Parasites of ManFantham, Harold Benjamin
Science
The Animal Parasites of Man
Fantham, Harold Benjamin
Medical parasitology
The nucleus plays the same part in the life of the single celled
organisms as it does in the cells of the Metazoa and Metaphyta. It
appears to influence in a certain manner all, or at least most,
of the processes of life, such as motility, regeneration, growth,
and generally also digestion. Its principal influence, however, is
exercised in the propagation of the cells, as this is always brought
about by the nucleus.
The PROPAGATION of the Protozoa is effected either by division or by
means of direct budding. In division, which is preceded by direct
or indirect (mitotic) division of the nucleus, the body separates
into two, several, or even a great many segments. In this process
the entire substance of the body is involved, or a small residual
fragment may be left, which does not undergo further division
and finally perishes. In the budding method of multiplication a
large number of buds are formed, either on the surface or in the
interior of the organism. Where divisions or buddings follow one
another rapidly, without the segments separating immediately after
their production, numerous forms develop, which are often unlike
the parental forms, and these are termed swarm spores or spores.
Divisions imperfectly accomplished lead to the formation of protozoal
colonies.
Sometimes encystment[9] takes place previous to division.
Frequently, also, sexual processes appear, such as the union of
two similar (isogamous) or dissimilar (anisogamous) individuals.
In the latter case sexual dimorphism occurs, with the formation of
males (microgametes) and of females (macrogametes). The union may
be permanent (copulation), the process being comparable with the
fertilisation of the ovum by a spermatozoon. On the other hand,
attachment may be transient (conjugation) when, after the exchange
of portions of the nucleus, the couple separate, to multiply
independently of each other. Sometimes there is an ALTERNATION OF
GENERATIONS, as there may be several methods of propagation combined
in the same species, either direct multiplication, conjugation, or
copulation being practised; the different generations may thus, in
certain cases, be unlike morphologically.
[9] Independently of propagation, many protozoa protect themselves from
death by encystment when the water in which they are living dries up;
in this condition the wind may carry them over wide tracts of land.
Protozoa inhabit salt water as well as fresh water; they are also
found on land in very damp places, and invade animals as parasites.
CLASSIFICATION OF THE PROTOZOA.
_Class I._--*Sarcodina* (_Rhizopoda_). Protozoa, the body substance
of which forms pseudopodia; many of them are capable of developing
chitinous, chalky, or siliceous coverings or skeletal structures,
which, however, permit the protrusion of the pseudopodia either over
the entire periphery or at certain points. They possess one nucleus
or several.
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