The Invisible ABCs

Exploring the World of Microbes...

Letter P

Trypanosoma

Habitat:

 

Trypanosoma has a complex life cycle.  It goes through several developmental stages in certain insects and humans.

 

Importance:

 

Trypanosoma causes several serious diseases in humans including African Sleeping Sickness and Chagas Disease.

 

Classification:

 

Trypanosoma is a unicellular microbe in a group called protozoa.  It has a whip-like structure called a flagellum that it uses to propel itself.  It absorbs nutrients through its cell membrane.