Structure+-+Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is caused by protozoan parasites. Below is a picture of what one of the parasites looks like (left). Next to that, is a diagram of what a typical protozoan parasite looks like structurally: The parasites are part of the genus //Leishmania//. They are motile, eukaryotic organisms; motile means that they move erratically while consuming energy in the process. They have a tail at the end, which allows them to propel themselves erratically. Eukaryotic just refers to the fact that they are multi-celled and have a nucleus with DNA (as opposed to prokaryotic bacteria).