The life cycle of the malaria parasite involves two hosts: humans and female Anopheles mosquitoes. During a blood meal, a malaria-infected female Anopheles mosquito inoculates sporozoites into the human host. Sporozoites infect liver cells and mature into schizonts, which rupture and release merozoiRead more
The life cycle of the malaria parasite involves two hosts: humans and female Anopheles mosquitoes. During a blood meal, a malaria-infected female Anopheles mosquito inoculates sporozoites into the human host. Sporozoites infect liver cells and mature into schizonts, which rupture and release merozoites. Merozoites then infect red blood cells, where they multiply and release more merozoites, continuing the cycle.
Some of the merozoites develop into male and female gametocytes, which are taken up by a female Anopheles mosquito during a blood meal. In the mosquito’s gut, the gametocytes fuse to form zygotes, which develop into motile ookinetes that invade the mosquito’s midgut wall and develop into oocysts. The oocysts grow, rupture, and release sporozoites, which migrate to the mosquito’s salivary glands. When the mosquito takes another blood meal, it injects the sporozoites into a new human host, starting the cycle again.
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Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. Once inside the human body, the parasites travel to the liver, where they multiply and then enter the bloodstream, infecting red blood cells. The parasites continue to multiRead more
Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. Once inside the human body, the parasites travel to the liver, where they multiply and then enter the bloodstream, infecting red blood cells. The parasites continue to multiply inside the red blood cells, which eventually burst, releasing more parasites into the bloodstream and causing the symptoms of malaria.
The pathogenicity of malaria is due to the destruction of red blood cells and the release of toxins by the parasites. This can lead to anemia, hypoglycemia, and other complications. In severe cases, malaria can cause organ failure, coma, and death.
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