Microsporidia

Definition

Microsporidia are a group of spore-forming unicellular parasites primarily affecting insects and other arthropods, but also causing disease in humans. They are known for their unique infection mechanism involving a polar tube.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Microsporidia lack typical mitochondria and instead have mitosomes.
2. They produce environmentally resistant spores that can survive outside a host for extended periods.
3. Microsporidia have a unique polar tube used to inject infectious sporoplasm into host cells.
4. In humans, they can cause microsporidiosis, particularly in immunocompromised individuals like HIV/AIDS patients.
5. Their life cycle includes both merogony (asexual reproduction) and sporogony (spore formation).

Review Questions

• What is the primary method of infection used by Microsporidia?
• Which type of human population is most at risk for infections caused by Microsporidia?
• What organelle do Microsporidia have instead of typical mitochondria?

Related terms

Mitosomes: Organelles found in some eukaryotes including Microsporidia, functioning as modified mitochondria without ATP production.

Sporogony: The process of spore formation seen in the life cycle of parasites like Microsporidia.

Merogony: An asexual reproduction phase where multiple fission occurs, producing merozoites within the host cell.