PROTISTS

· Polyphyletic group, includes

o Sarcomastigophora: Amoebas and Flagellates

o Apicomplexa: Organisms endowed with a unique organelle, the apical complex

o Ciliophora: The ciliates

· Asexual and sexual reproduction occurs in these groups

o In some groups, only asexual reproduction has been observed or is known;

o In other groups, there is a sexual phase inherent in the life cycle.

· Transmission may be via a fecal-oral route, or via an arthropod vector.

N.B. This is NOT what is meant by the fecal-oral route: