Parasite Rex

Glossary

Antibody: A protein created by the immune system that can attach to antigens and neutralize them.

Antigen: A foreign substance that stimulates an immune response.

B cell: A type of immune cell that produces antibodies.

Blood fluke: One of several species of flukes that live in the bloodstream of vertebrates. The best studied are schistosomes, such as Schistosoma mansoni, which cause the disease schistisomiasis.

Chloroplast: A compartment in plants and algae where photosynthesis takes place. Originated as a free-living bacteria, which was engulfed by a eukaryote.

Complement: Blood-borne molecules that attack antigens, either on their own or in conjunction with antibodies.

Copepod: an aquatic crustacean that serves as an intermediate host to many parasites.

Cotesia congregata: A species of parasitic wasp that makes the tobacco hornworm its host.

Elephantiasis: A disease caused by filarial worms. The worms reside in the lymph channels, and the reaction of the immune system creates obstructions that trap lymph fluid in limbs or genitalia.

Flukes: Parasitic flatworms belonging to the class Trematoda.

Guinea worm: A parasitic nematode that lives in the abdomen of humans. After mating, the female emerges from her host’s leg and releases larvae, which take up residence in a copepod.

Hookworm: A parasitic nematode that lives in the soil as a larva and as an adult in the human intestines. Consumes blood and causes anemia.

Macrophage: An immune cell that kills foreign organisms either by engulfing them or by releasing poisons.

Malaria: A disease characterized by high fever, caused by the protozoan Plasmodium.

Mast cell: Immune cell in linings of the intestines and nose; the cell can suddenly trigger allergic reactions.

Plasmodium: The protozoan that causes malaria.

River blindness: A disease caused by Onchocerca volvulus, a parasitic nematode. Blindness is caused by scarring triggered as the parasite crawls across the eyes.

Sacculina: A parasitic barnacle that lives in crabs.

Schistosomiasis: Also known as bilharzia. Disease caused by schistosomes, blood flukes that live in snails and humans. Its most serious symptom is liver damage caused by the immune system’s reaction to schistosome eggs.

Sleeping sickness: Disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma brucei, and transmitted by the tsetse fly. Causes disorientation and coma. Fatal if not treated.

T cell: Immune cell that can recognize specific antigens. Killer T cells destroy cells infected with viruses and other pathogens. Inflammatory T cells organize attacks by macrophages. Helper T cells work with B cells to produce antibodies.

Toxoplasma gondii: Protozoan that normally makes cats and their prey its hosts. Usually harmless in humans, except for pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems.

Trichinella: Parasitic nematode that lives in muscle cells.

Trypanosomes: Parasitic protozoa belonging to the genus Trypanosoma. Cause sleeping sickness (T. brucei), Chagas disease (T. cruzi), and other diseases.