All these illustrations are drawn by hand by Kristin Hein. Karl Henry was her scientific consultant. Feel free to contact her for custom work.
Each illustration has three versions:
an unlabeled illustration, a drawing with major structures labeled and another with lines pointing to major structural features for students to label. A photograph of the microscope slide specimen is usually included with each illustration.
Part 1: Cestodes (tapeworms)
The Cestoda are in the phylum Platyhelminthes. They are flat worms that lack a body cavity and are segmented. Cestodes are primarily parasitic and adults are usually found in the intestinal tracts of vertebrates, however, larval stages can be found in intestines or tissue of both invertebrates and vertebrates. Mature forms of cestodes have 3 regions; the scolex, neck, and strobila. The scolex is used for attachment and can perform this function using either sucker- or hook-like structures (or a combination of the two). The neck is composed of undifferentiated tissue from which new body segments (proglottids) are formed. These proglottids remain attached as they are formed creating a chain of these segments in differing stages of development, depended on their age. The newest (immature) proglottids are closest to the neck and lack any reproductive structures. Prolottids move down the body as new ones form; as they age, reproductive organs develop. Mature proglottids contain fully-developed male and female reproductive organs (hermaphroditic). Following fertilization, eggs develop and reproductive organs tend to be reabsorbed. Eggs can be released from gravid proglottids as they mature or en mass as gravid proglottids detach and are released in the host feces.
Part 2: Trematodes (flukes)
The Trematoda are multicellular helminths in the phylum Platyhelminthes. They are bilaterally symmetrical, leaf-shaped flat worms that lack a body cavity. Adults are usually hermaphroditic and can be found in the intestinal tract and tissues of both invertebrates and vertebrates. Trematodes lack a complete digestive system and can eliminate waste products through diffusion or through primitive excretory systems. These worms generally lack other body systems that are commonly found in higher organisms (such as circulatory and respiratory systems).
Part 3: Nematodes (roundworms)
Nematodes are helminths in the phylum Nematoda. These helminths have a body cavity that contains organ systems (reproductive, circulatory, nervous, etc…). Morphologically, nematodes have long, cylindrical bodies that taper at both ends. The coloring of a nematode is normally clear to opaque but this can vary depending on surrounding host fluids. Nematodes can infect both invertebrates and vertebrates and often lack host specificity. Nematodes are dioecious (separate male and female individuals in a species) and tend to show sexual dimorphism with males usually smaller than females.
Part 4: Protozoa
The protozoa are eukaryotic organisms in the Kingdom Euprotista. They are single-celled organisms but can also be colonial living in groups. Protozoa can be further classified into seven different phyla based on their mode of locomotion. Structures that are involved in movement include pseudopodia, flagella, and cilia; some protozoa are non-motile. Protozoa can have characteristic rigid cellular morphologies or more fluid, pleomorphic shapes. Each cell is capable of performing all of the metabolic functions that are necessary for the life of the cell.
Bonus
The bonus illustrations contains basic microbiology equipment, techniques, and reactions. Some examples of illustrations included are gram stain, microscope, incinerators, streak to isolation, and light path of oil immersion.
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