Dictionary > Entamoebidae

Entamoebidae

Definition
noun
(taxonomy) A family of Archamoebae which includes species such as Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba coli, Endolimax spp., Iodamoeba spp., etc.
Supplement
Entamoebidae is a taxonomic family of Class Archamoebae. The distinctive characteristic of Archamoebae is the absence of mitochondria. Thus, Entamoebidae includes species that carry out anaerobic respiration. Many of them are parasites or commensals in the digestive system of arthropods and vertebrates.1 The family Entamoebidae includes the genera: Endolimax, Entamoeba, Iodamoeba, etc. One of the known species belonging to this group is Entamoeba histolytica, which is the causative agent of amoebic dysentery (characterized by a bloody diarrhea). This species is transmitted from one human host to another my ingestion of food and/or drinks contaminated with the parasite’s infective form, the cyst. The cyst of Entamoeba histolytica is quadrinucleate and exits its host in the latter’s stool. Endolimax spp. can also live in the intestines of their host. For instance, Endolimax nana is an amoeba found in the intestines of humans. The species is found to cause intermittent or chronic diarrhea.2
Scientific classification:

See also:

  • Archamoebae
  • Entamoeba
  • Entamoeba coli
  • Entamoeba histolytica
  • Reference(s):

    1 Lamb, T. (2012). Immunity to parasitic infections. Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.

    2 John Q. Stauffer MD & W. L. Levine (January 1974).”Chronic diarrhea related to Endolimax Nana”
    .Parasitology Research 19 (1): 59–63.


    You will also like...

    green plant cells
    Plant Cells vs. Animal Cells

    Plant cells have plastids essential in photosynthesis. They also have an additional layer called cell wall on their cell..

    Homo Species
    The Homo Species

    The evolution of the species of the genus "Homo" led to the emergence of modern humans. Find out more about human evolut..

    Still freshwater and plants
    Still Freshwater & Plants

    Plants in lentic habitats have features not found in terrestrial plants. They acquired these features as they adapt to t..

    Young plant growing from the soil.
    Soils

    Nutrients in the soil are essential to the proper growth of a land plant. This tutorial deals with the properties of soi..

    Biosecurity and Biocontrol
    Biosecurity and Biocontrol

    This lesson explores the impact of biosecurity threats, and why they need to be identified and managed. Examples to incl..

    Disturbance on a still water
    Abiotic Factors – Water Conditions

    A still body of water may be disturbed by a variety of factors. One of them is wind. In fact, it is considered as the pr..

    Related Articles...

    No related articles found

    See all Related Topics