ROUNDWORMS Kingdom Animalia - Phylum Nematoda Unsegmented worms Pseudocoelom ("false coelom") body cavity contains organs
Free-living - predators Parasites - humans and animals Digestive tract with 2 openings: mouth & anus Feeding Free-living - predators Parasites - humans and animals Reproduction Sexual reproduction, Diecious - separate sexes (male & female)
Roundworms & Disease Trichinosis (caused by the trichinella worm) cysts within the muscles are consumed (undercooked food) worm grows in intestine forms cysts in the muscles of the new host symptom: terrible pain in muscles
Filarial Worms - found in Tropical regions of Asia usually transmitted by mosquitoes causes elephantiasis heartworms are filarial
Ascarid Worms (common roundworm) lives in intestine eggs are passed out in the feces Most roundworms infect dogs, but occasionally they find their way into human hosts
Hookworms burrow into the skin come from soil mature in the intestines hooks used to attach and suck blood
Pinworms or Threadworms Ingested from hands, contaminated food or rarely water Fecal contamination and oral ingestion. 2-4 week life cycle.
Beneficial in Gardens Some nematodes parasitize grubs and larva of insects that damage crops and lawns.
Research on C. elegans first organism to have DNA completely sequenced It is a very simple, free living roundworm