Microbiology Practice Exam

The correct answer refers to the tsetse fly, which is the primary vector responsible for transmitting the parasites that cause African sleeping sickness, also known as Trypanosomiasis. This disease is caused by the protozoa of the genus Trypanosoma, which are transmitted to humans through the bite of infected tsetse flies, predominantly those belonging to the Glossina genus. When a tsetse fly bites an infected host, it ingests the Trypanosoma parasites, which then develop within the fly before being transmitted to another host through subsequent bites. This intricate cycle of transmission makes the tsetse fly an essential part of the life cycle of these parasites, thereby linking the insect directly to the spread of the disease. In contrast, other insects listed do not play a role in transmitting African sleeping sickness. Fleas are known for their association with diseases such as plague, midges are primarily associated with transmitting certain viruses and parasites in other contexts, and butterflies do not act as vectors for any significant human parasitic diseases. Understanding the specific role of the tsetse fly in this disease highlights the importance of vector control measures in managing and preventing African sleeping sickness.