Kinetoplastids

The kinetoplastids are a group of colorless flagellates, belonging to the Euglenozoa. They are distinguished mainly by the presence of a DNA-containing granule called the kinetoplast within a single mitochondrion, typically associated with the flagellar bases.

Various free-living and parasitic forms belong here. The former are typified by the small bacteriovore Bodo, which has a flexible body and well developed gullet. Two flagellae are present, one leading and one trailing, and the latter often serves to anchor the cell while feeding or to pull it along the substratum. Most of the latter are uniflagellates, called trypanosomes, which come in various forms at various stages of their life-cycle, but are especially recognizable in the trypanosome stage where the flagellum is attached to the body by an undulating membrane. These include the species responsible for [sleeping sickness]? and Chagas disease.