Life cycle

Definition

A life cycle is the series of developmental stages through which an organism passes from its inception to the stage at which it reproduces and generates a new individual. In microbiology, understanding life cycles is crucial for identifying how pathogens propagate and cause infections.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Plasmodium species, responsible for malaria, has a complex life cycle involving both human and mosquito hosts.
2. Trypanosoma brucei, which causes African trypanosomiasis, undergoes a life cycle that includes stages in both the tsetse fly vector and the human host.
3. The life cycle of Wuchereria bancrofti involves mosquito vectors and human lymphatic systems, leading to lymphatic filariasis.
4. Schistosoma species have a life cycle involving freshwater snails as intermediate hosts before infecting humans through skin contact with contaminated water.
5. Understanding the life cycle of pathogens like Leishmania helps in developing targeted treatments and preventive measures for diseases such as leishmaniasis.

Review Questions

• What are the two main hosts involved in the life cycle of Plasmodium species?
• How does understanding the life cycle of Trypanosoma brucei aid in controlling African trypanosomiasis?
• Which intermediate host is crucial in the life cycle of Schistosoma species?

Related terms

Vector: An organism that transmits pathogens from one host to another.

Intermediate Host: A host that harbors the parasite only for a short transition period during its development.

Definitive Host: A host in which a parasite reaches maturity and undergoes sexual reproduction.