Saturday, December 8, 2007

Development


Tapeworm development can be generalized into four basic steps:
  1. embryogenesis with the egg to result in a larva called the oncoshpere - the oncospheres of some species can be free-swimming in water
  2. hatching of the oncosphere after or before being eaten by the next host, where it penetrates to a parenteral site
  3. metamorphosis of the larve in the parenteral site into a juvenile called a metacestode - usually has a scolex
  4. development of an adult from the metacestode in the intestine (called the enteral site) or either the same host or a new host

No comments: