CORE123 Fenomén parazitismu

Faculty of Science
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Eva Řehulková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
prof. RNDr. Andrea Vetešníková Šimková, PhD. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Eva Řehulková, Ph.D.
Department of Botany and Zoology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: RNDr. Pavel Lízal, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Botany and Zoology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! TYP_STUDIA ( ND ) && ! FORMA ( C ) && (! PROGRAM ( B - UCB ) && ! PROGRAM ( B - UCC ) && ! PROGRAM ( B - UCF ) && ! PROGRAM ( B - UCM ) && ! PROGRAM ( B - UCZ ) && ! PROGRAM ( B - LGM ) && ! PROGRAM ( B - EMB ) && ! PROGRAM ( B - EKB ))
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives
The concept of the course is based on the theoretical deepening of knowledge about parasitism, which is considered to be the predominant form of life on Earth. The course examines parasitism from many perspectives, from biological and ecological, evolutionary, medical, historical, and artistic. It presents parasites not only as potential threats, but also as fascinating organisms that are key components of ecosystems and catalysts for evolution. Emphasis is placed on integrating the latest scientific knowledge about the relationships between parasites and their hosts in the context of ecological and evolutionary biology. It does not neglect the diversity of parasites and their adaptations to the parasitic way of life, including the impact on host phenotype and behaviour. Hosts are likened to islands populated by parasites, among which a constant evolutionary and individual arms race is underway. The lecture series concludes with a positive view of parasites, highlighting their ecological, evolutionary and medical-economic benefits. The course aims to develop students' academic skills (interpretation, comparison, critical thinking) in biological and non-biological disciplines in areas related to parasitism. Proper awareness is also the most effective tool for eliminating unfounded fears about parasites perpetuated in contemporary society.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to: explain the basic parasitological terms and orient themselves in the concepts of ecological and evolutionary parasitology; characterize the main groups of parasites (protozoa, helminths, arthropods) and their most important representatives in terms of their morphological, physiological and behavioral adaptations to the parasitic way of life; interpret the most important parasitic diseases of humans monitored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and occurring in the Czech Republic; recognize parasitic diseases of animals kept in close contact with humans (dog, cat) and understand their health risks for the breeder; give examples of the use of parasites in human medicine and other specific fields (e.g. forensic entomology); critically evaluate information on the treatment and prevention of parasitic diseases available on websites and public discussion forums.
Syllabus
  • 1. Parasitism as the dominant form of existence on our planet; definition of parasitism from the biological-ecological, medical and social point of view; relationships between organisms, parasitism as a form of symbiosis; strategies and types of parasitism. 2. Origin and evolution of parasitism; transition from free-living to parasitic organisms; evolution of developmental cycles; a coevolutionary struggle between parasite and host; Red Queen hypothesis; regressive evolution.3. The ruling parasite; definition and classification of parasites; host specificity; the influence of parasites on host phenotype and behaviour (morphological adaptations, influence on physiological functions, manipulation hypothesis); parasitism and sexual selection. 4. Host as an island; definition and classification of hosts; host protection from parasitic infection. 5. Diversity of parasites from taxonomic, ecological, and medical perspectives. 6. Protozoa - classification and classification, biology, important representatives parasitizing humans. 7. Helminths - classification and classification, biology, important representatives parasitizing humans. 8. Arthropods - classification and classification, biology, important representatives parasitizing humans. 9. Parasitic diseases of animals kept in close contact with humans (dog, cat) and their health risks for the breeder. 10. Parasitosis as a disease (epidemics, zoonoses, opportunistic parasitoses). 11. Parasites and parasitic infections in human history: from prehistory to the present; parasites in art; Czech parasitological greats. 12. Parasites - myths and reality; diagnosis of parasitic infections; fraudulent diagnostics (e.g. Zapper, Oberon, Salvia) and antiparasitic products (e.g. Detoxic, MMS).
Teaching methods
Teaching will include verbal and demonstration methods, using PowerPoint presentations. These will emphasise high quality visual material such as microphotographs and video sequences. At the same time, lectures will be updated with the latest findings in the field, but will remain accessible to students outside the discipline.
Assessment methods
The final assessment is a colloquium, which will take the form of a written test with closed questions.
Language of instruction
Czech
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/autumn2024/CORE123