Apicomplexa By Nail and Cooner

Kingdom: Chromalveolata Superphylum: Alveolata Phylum: Apicomplexa   Domain: Eukaryota    Kingdom: Chromalveolata    Superphylum: Alveolata    Phylum: Apicomplexa

Characteristics Unicellular Spore Forming Only parasites to Animals         (Causes Malaria, Babesiosis, Taxoplasmosis) Possesses a unique system of organelles called the Apical        complex. Includes a special organelle called an apicoplast           which helps penetrate a host cell. Most move with a gliding motion, while some do have flagella.         - None have cilia  Lives in the intestines of its host.  Elongated, serpentine shape; usually rod or oval shaped.  

Characteristics cont. Both sexual and asexual reproduction. Must be in host cell to grow and replicate. Complex Life Cycle: Reproduction begins when a sporozoite enters the host cell. The sporozoite divides to form  Merozoits. Merozoits transform into gamonts, which  are sexually reproductive cells. Gamonts combine to form a  Gamontocyst, then divide to form gametes.  Pairs of gametes fuse to create zygotes, which create sporozoites through meoisis, repeating the cycle.                                                  1-zygote,  2-sporozoites, 3-merozoites, 4-gamontocytes.