Trophozoites

Trophozoites are a stage in the life cycle of certain protozoan parasites. They are mobile and possess flagella, cilia, and pseudopodia for movement. These organisms are of great medical importance, because some species can cause debilitating diseases in humans. Trophozoites are responsible for the pathogenic effects of diseases like malaria, amoebiasis, and giardiasis. Treatment of these diseases usually involves targeting the trophozoite stage in the life cycle of the pathogen. Furthermore, trophozoites are preferred for laboratory purposes over other stages of the organism, due to their larger size and because they are easier to study.