ABSTRACT
Protozoa differ biochemically from other eukaryotic cells, including one another, in many ways and the information gained from studies so far has revealed fascinating insights into how different species are adapted to their particular niche. It has also provided further proof of the enormous diversity of cells at the biochemical level. A number of features that appear to be unique to some protozoa have already been discovered and there is little doubt that others will be found in the future. It could be considered that the contribution studies such as these make to our understanding of life at the biochemical level is reason enough for their existence, but it has to be accepted that such purely academic justifications are often not considered sufficiently compelling in the eyes of those controlling the finances. Thus it is not surprising to find that current biochemical research is largely directed towards those protozoa that are causative agents of major human and, to a lesser extent, veterinary diseases and that the main thrust is for the discovery of biochemical peculiarities that offer opportunities for chemotherapeutic exploitation. The contents of this book reflect this state of affairs.
