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Giardia intestinalis is an intestinal parasite of humans and other mammals that causes intestinal ailments in most people who ingest the cysts. Upon ingestion, each cyst releases two motile cells, called trophozoites. These attach to the small intestine's lining via a ventral adhesive disk. The trophozoites anaerobically metabolize glucose from the host's intestinal contents to produce ATP. Reproduction is completely asexual, occurring by longitudinal binary fission of trophozoites, with each daughter cell receiving two haploid nuclei (n = 5). A trophozoite will often encyst as it passes into the large intestine by secreting around itself a case that is resistant to cold, heat, and dehydration. Infection usually occurs by drinking untreated water that contains cysts.
The cysts of Giardia function most like the ________.
A) mitochondria of ancestral diplomonads
B) nuclei of archaeans
C) endospores of bacteria
D) capsids of viruses

Question

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The cysts of Giardia are resistant structures that allow the parasite to survive harsh conditions such as cold, heat, and dehydration. Endospores of bacteria are also resistant structures with similar functions. The mitochondria of ancestral diplomonads, nuclei of archaeans, and capsids of viruses are not analogous structures to the cysts of Giardia.

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