Cyst formation by Giardia permits
Multiple Choice
A survival due to its multiple flagella.
B using of vegetation as an energy
C source resistance to stomach acid.
D enhanced reproduction due to two bilaterally located nuclei.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is C: resistance to stomach acid.
Giardia is a protozoan parasite that can cause giardiasis, a diarrheal disease. The cysts formed by Giardia are a crucial part of its life cycle, allowing it to survive harsh environmental conditions. Cysts are the infective stage of the parasite and are resistant to stomach acid. When ingested through contaminated water or food, the cysts pass through the stomach and reach the small intestine, where they transform into the trophozoite form and begin to multiply.
The cysts are highly resistant to environmental stressors, such as desiccation and acidic conditions, which would typically kill most other pathogens. This allows Giardia to survive in the stomach’s acidic environment and reach the intestines intact. Once in the intestines, the cysts dissolve, releasing the trophozoites, which then attach to the intestinal wall and cause symptoms like diarrhea, cramps, and nausea.
While Giardia does have flagella, they are not directly responsible for its survival in stomach acid; rather, it’s the protective cyst wall that ensures the parasite can pass through the stomach. The flagella assist in the movement of the trophozoite in the intestines, helping the parasite to attach to the intestinal wall, but they don’t contribute to the survival of cysts in the stomach. Additionally, Giardia does not rely on vegetation as a source of energy, and its reproduction is not directly tied to its bilaterally located nuclei, so options A, B, and D are incorrect.