Question

Draw only a clean & labelled diagram of the life-cycle of malaria parasite.

Hint:

Remember: Asexual cycle in humans, sexual cycle in mosquito.

Answer 1

The life-cycle of Plasmodium (malaria parasite) involves two hosts:
- Human host: Asexual reproduction (schizogony) takes place in liver cells and red blood cells. This causes malaria symptoms.
- Female Anopheles mosquito: Sexual reproduction (sporogony) occurs in the mosquito, producing sporozoites that infect humans.
Diagram:
(Draw a labelled diagram showing the following stages: Sporozoite → Liver schizont → Merozoites → RBC infection (Trophozoite, Schizont, Gametocytes) → Mosquito gut (Zygote, Ookinete, Oocyst) → Sporozoites back to mosquito salivary gland). Final Answer:
\[ \boxed{\text{The malaria parasite completes its life-cycle in humans and female Anopheles mosquitoes.}} \]