Mastigophore (Noun)
Meaning
A usually nonphotosynthetic free-living protozoan with whiplike appendages; some are pathogens of humans and other animals.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- A commonly known type of mastigophore is Giardia lamblia, a flagellated protozoan parasite found in human and animal feces.
- Leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania parasites, a group of flagellated mastigophores, can manifest as either visceral or cutaneous infections in humans.
- Certain types of mastigophores found in marine sediments may function as bacterivores in those environments.
- Due to its flexible, whiplash flagellum, this free-swimming mastigophore displayed improved propulsion compared to previously identified related organisms.
- Transmission of disease from an infected organism usually requires an open wound that becomes infected by direct inoculation with a type of parasitic mastigophore such as Naegleria fowleri.