Which intestinal flagellate trophozoite is characterized by a sucking disk, two nuclei, eight flagella, and an axostyle?

Prepare for the AAB Medical Technologist (MT) Microbiology Exam with our comprehensive quizzes. Utilize flashcards, hints, and detailed explanations to enhance your knowledge and get ready for your exam!

Giardia lamblia is distinguished by several notable features that align with the description provided in the question. The trophozoite form of Giardia lamblia exhibits a characteristic pear shape and possesses a unique sucking disk, which enables it to adhere to the intestinal wall. This adaptation is critical for its survival and pathogenicity within the host's gastrointestinal tract.

Further characteristics of Giardia lamblia include two nuclei, which appear like eyespots under a microscope, and eight flagella that facilitate its motility. The presence of an axostyle, a rigid structural component that supports the flagellate, is also a key feature of this organism. These morphological traits ensure that Giardia lamblia is easily recognizable under microscopic examination, particularly in stool samples, where it is often sought in the diagnosis of giardiasis.

In contrast, the other organisms listed possess different structures and features. Entamoeba histolytica, for example, is an amoeba and lacks flagella and a sucking disk. Trichomonas vaginalis, while flagellated, does not display the same dual-nuclear structure or the sucking disk typical of Giardia lamblia. Naegleria fowleri is primarily an amoeboflagellate found in water, with distinctly different

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