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Write the life cycle of Plasmodium with a diagram.
Write the life cycle of Plasmodium with a diagram.
biology | Previous year question
Write the life cycle of Plasmodium with a diagram.

Solution:

Plasmodium has a complex life cycle.

 It can be distinguished into three stages:

Stage 1: Gametocytes

  • During a blood meal, the male and female gametocytes are transmitted through anopheles. 
  • In the gut of the mosquito, male and female gametocytes mate, and after a period of 15 to 18 days, a parasite called sporozoite is formed.

Stage 2: Sporozoites 

  • Sporozoite forms are then transmitted through the saliva into the bloodstream, provided if an infected mosquito feeds on a human. 
  • Through the bloodstream, these sporozoites lead into the liver where they mature into schizonts. 

Stage 3: Schizonts

  • Over a passage of one to two weeks, the schizonts multiply to form several other forms known as merozoites. 
  • The merozoites then enter the bloodstream again in order to attack the red blood cells. 
  • The merozoites destroy all blood cells during the process of growing and multiplying. 
  • A certain part of these merozoites develops into gametocytes which are later ingested into the blood by a mosquito, giving birth to the whole cycle all over again.

 

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