Life Cycle of Plasmodium and Malaria Transmission

These flashcards cover the key vocabulary related to the life cycle of Plasmodium and the transmission of malaria.

Plasmodium

A genus of parasitic protozoa, known for causing malaria in humans.

Sporozoans

The life stage of Plasmodium that is released from the mosquito into the human bloodstream.

Schizonts

The stage at which the parasite within the liver multiplies and eventually ruptures to release merozoites.

Merozoites

The infectious form of Plasmodium that infects red blood cells after leaving the liver.

Immature trophozoites

The early stage of the parasite within the red blood cells, also referred to as the ring stage.

Gametocytes

The sex cells (male and female) produced by the maturation of immature trophozoites.

Macrogametocyte

The result of the fusion of male and female gametocytes within the mosquito.

Oocyst

The stage within the mosquito that matures after forming from macrogametocytes, containing multiple cells.

Binary fission

A form of asexual reproduction typical in stages prior to sexual reproduction in the parasite's life cycle.

Life cycle illustration

A diagram representing the stages of development and transmission of the malaria parasite.