Question

(a) Write the specific name of the genus Plasmodium that causes one of the most serious types of disease in humans. Name the disease.

(b) Describe the events in the life cycle of Plasmodium which take place in the female anopheles.

(c) Explain what happens in the RBCs of the humans when Plasmodium gains entry into them. How does the human body get affected?
[5 marks]

Answer 1

(a) The specific name of the genus Plasmodium that causes one of the most serious types of disease in humans is Plasmodium falciparum. The disease is called malaria. [0.5 + 0.5= 1 mark]

(b) When a female Anopheles mosquito bites an infected person, these parasites enter the saliva and multiplies to form sporozoites that enter the salivary glands. When these mosquitoes bite a human, the sporozoites are transferred into the body of the hyuman being.
[1.5 marks]

(c) Plasmodium enters the human body as sporozoites (infectious form) through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquito. The parasites initially enter the blood stream and reach the liver where they multiply to form a schizont. From here, schizonts enter the red blood cells (RBCs) and lead to the rupture of RBCs to release merozoites. The rupture of RBCs is associated with release of a toxic substance, haemozoin, which is responsible for the chill and high fever recurring every three to four days. [2.5 marks]