The organism whose trophozoite shows falling leaf motility is:

The organism whose trophozoite shows falling leaf motility is:

• A. Giardia lamblia
• B. Entamoeba histolytica
• C. Trichomonas vaginalis
• D. Balantidium coli

Answer: (A)

Falling leaf motility is a hallmark movement pattern of Giardia lamblia trophozoites. The trophozoite is pear-shaped and equipped with multiple flagella arranged around the body. As these flagella beat in a coordinated way, the organism glides slowly in a manner that resembles a leaf drifting down, with the body sometimes tilting and then settling in a new position. This distinctive, smooth, undulating glide contrasts with the other parasites: Entamoeba histolytica moves by pseudopod extension (amoeboid), Trichomonas vaginalis uses an undulating membrane with a flagellum for a more jerky, irregular propulsion, and Balantidium coli uses cilia for rapid, synchronized surface beating. Thus, the falling leaf pattern points to Giardia lamblia as the correct organism.

Falling leaf motility is a hallmark movement pattern of Giardia lamblia trophozoites. The trophozoite is pear-shaped and equipped with multiple flagella arranged around the body. As these flagella beat in a coordinated way, the organism glides slowly in a manner that resembles a leaf drifting down, with the body sometimes tilting and then settling in a new position. This distinctive, smooth, undulating glide contrasts with the other parasites: Entamoeba histolytica moves by pseudopod extension (amoeboid), Trichomonas vaginalis uses an undulating membrane with a flagellum for a more jerky, irregular propulsion, and Balantidium coli uses cilia for rapid, synchronized surface beating. Thus, the falling leaf pattern points to Giardia lamblia as the correct organism.