plasmodium life cycle- fob-animal biology- btechbiotechnology- 1st year

The single-celled Plasmodium parasite causes malaria. Plasmodium occurs in four types, each of which causes a different kind of malaria: Plasmodium falciparum causes malignant malaria, which is the most deadly variety; Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium malariae ("P. malariae") are all more benign, with P. malariae being the least malevolent form. P. malariae infection presents as chronic flu-like symptoms, including fever, fatigue and diarrhea. Malaria treatment includes a drug called primaquine to prevent relapse of the more serious versions of the disease. Chloroquine is more often used to treat P. malariae infection.



1. Sporozoites from salivary glands of mosquito enter liver cells.

2 Liver cell containing early stages of primary erythrocytic parasite.

3 and 4. Stages in the development of primary erythrocytic schizont.

5. Fully developed primary erythrocytic schizont rupturing and releasing merozoites.

6. Liver cell containing merozoites of a seondary erythrocytic cycle of sschizogony.

7-9. Remaining stages in erythrocytic shcizogony ending in release of second generation merozoites.

10. Red cell of circulating blood.

11-14. Stages in erythrocytic schizogony in circulating blood.

15. Fully developed erythrocytic schizont rupturing and releasing merozoites and gametocytes.

16-20. Repetition of erythrocytic schizogony.

21, 22. Development of male gametocyto cyte or microgametocyte in circulating blood.

23, 24. Development of female gametocyte or macrogametocyte in circulating blood.

25. Wall of stomach (midgut) of mosquito.

26. Exflagellating microgametocyte producint microgametes in midgut of mosquito.

27. Macrogametocyte.

28. Microgamete free in stomach of mosquite seeking macrogametocyte.

29. Zygote formed by fertilization of macrogametocyte by microgamete.

30. Ookinete, or elongated traveling zygote about to penetrate wall of midgut.

31. Oocyst formed by zygote after penetration of the midgut wall.

32, 33. Stages in development of sporozoites within oocyst.

34. Rupture of mature oocyst with dispersion of sporozoites, most of which enter the salivary glands of the host.

35. Salivary gland containing mature sporozoites.