Sleeping sickness is a parasitic disease of humans and other animals. It is caused by
- A.Histomonas
- B.Trypanosoma
- C.Angomonas
- D.Naegleria
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is B, Trypanosoma. Sleeping sickness, or African trypanosomiasis, is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma brucei.
Trypanosoma is a flagellated protozoan that lives in the blood. It is spread by the bite of the tsetse fly (Glossina), found in sub-Saharan Africa. The parasite first multiplies in the blood and lymph, causing fever and swollen glands, and later enters the brain and spinal cord, bringing confusion, disturbed sleep and drowsiness, which give the disease its name. A related species, Trypanosoma cruzi, causes Chagas disease in the Americas.
A is wrong because Histomonas causes blackhead disease in turkeys and other poultry.
C is wrong because Angomonas is a trypanosomatid that lives in insects and is not a cause of human disease.
D is wrong because Naegleria fowleri, the 'brain-eating amoeba', causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis.
Exam tip: sleeping sickness = Trypanosoma + tsetse fly; kala-azar = Leishmania + sandfly.
Practice Questions
View allNephology is the branch of science that studies
- A.Kidneys
- B.Clouds
- C.Nerves
- D.Nebulae
Show answer
Nephology is the study of clouds, their formation, classification into types such as cirrus, cumulus and stratus, and their part in rainfall, and it is a branch of meteorology, the science of the atmosphere and the weather.
Read the full explanation →Herpetology is the branch of zoology dealing with the study of
- A.Molluscs
- B.Spiders
- C.Reptiles and amphibians
- D.Parasitic worms
Show answer
Herpetology is the study of reptiles such as snakes, lizards, crocodiles and turtles, together with amphibians such as frogs, toads and salamanders, and in India it includes the work on snake venom and antivenom at institutions that maintain snake parks.
Read the full explanation →Phycology, also known as algology, is the study of
- A.Algae
- B.Fungi
- C.Grasses
- D.Ferns
Show answer
Phycology, also called algology, is the study of algae, the simple photosynthetic organisms that range from the single-celled Chlamydomonas to the large brown seaweeds, and it covers their classification and their uses as food, fertiliser and a source of agar.
Read the full explanation →Cryogenics is the branch of physics that deals with
- A.Very high pressures
- B.Very low temperatures
- C.Crystal structures
- D.Cosmic rays
Show answer
Cryogenics deals with the production of very low temperatures and with the behaviour of materials at those temperatures, where liquefied gases such as liquid nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen are used; it is applied in rocket engines with cryogenic upper stages, in superconducting magnets and in the preservation of biological material…
Read the full explanation →Speleology is the branch of science that studies
- A.Caves
- B.Clouds
- C.Glaciers
- D.Lakes
Show answer
Speleology is the exploration and scientific study of caves, their formation, the limestone features such as stalactites and stalagmites that develop in them, and the animal life adapted to permanent darkness.
Read the full explanation →