IB1090920 Mosquitoes and malaria
March 9, 2009 Pages 230-237
l. Identify two distinguishing characteristics of Anopheles mosquitoes:
a. Palps as long as proboscis b. Scutellum is round and strap-like c. wings are spotted d. legs tend to be very long e. abdomen elevated while feeding
2. Which aquatic habitat would be most likely to harbor anopheline mosquitoes?
a. salt marshes b. fast-running streams c. catchwater of bromeliads
3. What might the rise of agriculture 10,000 years ago have to do with an apparent increase in malaria infections in humans? Clearing forests for agriculture provided ideal habitat for Anopheles (open landscape).
4. Why is malaria known as “intermittent fever”? Symptoms include alternating fever and chills
Given its etymology, is the name “malaria” appropriate or inappropriate? Why? Comes from Italian meaning “bad air” because it was thought foul smells caused malaria. It is actually caused by a protist.
5. What is the difference between quotidian and tertian malaria? Quotidian malaria has a cycle of one day whereas tertian malaria has a cycle of three.
6. True or false: Malaria is a disease restricted to tropical regions of the world.
7. True or false: All species of Anopheles are vectors of malaria.
8. Plasmodium is a
a. bacterium b. virus c. insect d. protozoan
9. True or false: All species of Plasmodium are equally deadly.
10. Is the mosquito or the human a definitive host for Plasmodium? The mosquito. Definitive host = host in which sexual reproduction occurs.
11. Which of the life stages listed below of Plasmodium are found in humans (H), which in mosquitoes (M), and which in both (B)?
microgametocyte (B) sporozoite (B) trophozoite (H)
ookinete (M) merozoite (H)
12. Where does quinine come from? Jesuit Bark (Cinchona officinalis)
When was it identified? 1820 And who identified it? Joseph Pelletier and Joseph Caventou
13. Match the person with the contribution
Charles Alphonse Laveran 2. 1. Demonstrated mosquito transmission of filarial worms
Patrick Manson 1. 2. Identified malarial parasites in blood cells
Ronald Ross 3. 3. Proved mosquito transmission of malaria
14. True or false: Anopheles mosquitoes are the only known vectors of lymphatic filariasis.
What is another name for lymphatic filariasis? Elephantiasis
15. During World War II, the U.S. Public Health Service created a unit named Malaria Control in War Areas; what did this unit eventually become and where is it located? Center for Disease Control and Prevention. It is located in Atlanta, GA.
16. Which is the principal reason for the recent resurgence of malaria worldwide?
a. increase in the number of mosquito species capable of acting as vectors
b. increase in the number of mosquito species resistant to insecticides
c. decrease in the number of people getting preventative malaria vaccinations
d. decrease in world supply of quinine
17. Complicating malaria control is that, while anopheline mosquitoes have developed resistance to DDT, Plasmodium species have developed resistance to chloroquine.
18. Approximately how many cases of malaria are reported every year worldwide?
a. 200,000 b. 2,000,000 c. 20,000,000 d. 200,000,000
19. Today, alternative control measures for malarial mosquitoes include BTI and pyrethroid soaked bednets and for the plasmodium include Artemisinin.
20. What is the principal obstacle to developing a vaccine to combat malaria? Each stage (especially merosome) is protected against potential vaccines. They also quickly develop immunity.
21. What is the goal of creating a transgenic mosquito?
a. disabling the ability of mosquitoes to metabolize insecticide
b. disabling the ability of mosquitoes to harbor pathogens
c. eliminating the need for females to take a blood meal
d. rendering females infertile
22. What does the organization “Nothing But Nets” have to do with malaria in Africa? They distribute bed nets in Africa to protect against malaria.
23. What foundation has been instrumental in increasing funding for malaria research? The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
24. Artemisinin is derived from a(n)
a. fungus b. bacterium c. plant d. chemical laboratory
25. A problem with using artemisinin for treating malaria in Africa is
a. its expense—it’s too costly to use on a broad scale
b. it is unstable at tropical temperatures
c. malaria pathogens are acquiring resistance
d. it interacts with and synergizes DDt