Dictionary > Amastigote

Amastigote

Definition
noun, plural: amastigotes
(protistology) A cell (or the unicellular organism) that does not have flagella (or cilia)
Supplement
Amastigotes are protist cells that lack flagella or cilia. Trypanosomatids, in particular, have different morphological forms depending on their developmental stage. These morphological forms (or developmental stages) are amastigote, promastigote, epimastigote, trypomastigote, opisthomastigote, and choanomastigote.
Amastigotes appear as non-flagellated cell in contrast to other morphological forms. For instance, trypomastigotes are characterized by the presence of a flagellum that connects to an undulating membrane along the length of the body. Amastigotes lack flagella (or cilia). Nevertheless, they are a common morphological form or developmental stage of trypanosomatids.
Amastigotes are also referred to as the Leishman-Donovan body, the Donovan body, or the leishmanial stage. It is because all Leishmania undergo an amastigote stage in their life cycle. The amastigote of Leishmania belongs to the smallest eukaryotic cells for being particularly small.
Synonym(s):

  • leishmanial (stage)
  • Leishman-Donovan body
  • Donovan body

Compare:

  • promastigote
  • epimastigote
  • trypomastigote
  • opisthomastigote
  • choanomastigote
  • See also:

    Mentioned in:

  • Burdwan fever
  • Herpetomonas
  • Assam fever
  • Black sickness
  • Choanoflagellate
  • Dumdum fever


  • You will also like...

    Human Neurology
    Human Neurology

    Human Neurology deals essentially with the nervous system of humans. It also features the various theories put forward b..

    An artist depiction of a Precambrian multicellular life form.
    The Evolution of Cell Organelles

    The nucleus containing the genetic material, DNA, and the mitochondria, well-identified as the "powerhouse of the cell",..

    DNA molecule
    Genetic Control – On and Off Genes

    Genes are the blueprint of our bodies, a blueprint that creates a variety of proteins essential to any organism's surviv..

    Ploidy
    Polyploidy

    Humans are diploid creatures. This means that for every chromosome in the body, there is another one to match it. Howeve..

    Consciousness and behavior
    Consciousness and Behavior

    Human consciousness and behavior are an interesting topic since they are determined and controlled by the brain. Conscio..

    Biological Energy
    ATP & ADP – Biological Energy

    ATP is the energy source that is typically used by an organism in its daily activities. The name is based on its structu..

    Related Articles...

    No related articles found

    See all Related Topics