c. Workshops, Seminars, and Symposia. In order to maintain proficiency in
the parasitology laboratory, personnel must be given access to training in current trends
and methodology. This is best accomplished by attending workshops, seminars, and
symposia offered at local, regional, or national conferences.
d. References. A modern library should be available to the laboratory staff. It
should contain textbooks, periodicals, and newsletters.
Section III. TAXONOMY OF PARASITES INFECTING HUMANS
1-17. INTRODUCTION
All living organisms have been divided into groups with similar characteristics.
These groups have been subdivided further until organisms that have identical traits are
classified under the same genus and species. It is important that you be familiar with
the principles of taxonomy pertaining to parasites.
1-18. DIVISIONS OF LIVING ORGANISMS
a. Kingdom. This is a large group of organisms with similar features. In the
literature, various authors list from two to five kingdoms.
(1) Kingdom PLANTA. This kingdom contains all of the plants. There are
no plants parasitic to man.
(2) Kingdom PROTISTA. Members of this kingdom are unicellular (one-
celled) organisms. The kingdom is further divided into two subkingdoms.
(a) Subkingdom EUCARYOTA. Eucaryotes are characterized by a
nuclear membrane separating the nucleus from the cytoplasm, DNA that is grouped into
and energy produced in structures called mitochondria. Some examples are
protozoans and fungi.
(b) Subkingdom PROCARYOTA. The procaryotes are characterized
by no nuclear membrane (therefore, there is no organized nucleus); no chromosomes
(the DNA is not separated but is a continuous strand); no mitosis (multiplication is
accomplished by simple cell division); and no mitochondria (energy is produced at the
mesosomes). Some examples are bacteria and bluegreen algae.
(3) Kingdom ANIMALIA. The higher animals, including man, are placed in
this kingdom. There are many parasites that infect man in this kingdom.
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