Question

Which of the following statements is/are true?

Statement I: Only female Anopheles mosquitoes spread malaria.
Statement II: The Plasmodium parasite has a single host.
Statement III: Anopheles mosquitoes feed on human blood because it is rich in nutrients.

• A. Statements (I) and (II) are true, but statement (III) is false
• B. Statements (I) and (II) are false, but statement (III) is true
• C. Statements (I) and (III) are true, but statement (II) is false
• D. All statements are true

Answer 1

The correct option is C Statements (I) and (III) are true, but statement (II) is false

Malaria is a protozoan disease caused by the Plasmodium sp. and transmitted through the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito. This disease is characterised by recurring fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, etc.
The Plasmodium parasite completes its life cycle in two different hosts, i.e. humans and the female Anopheles mosquito. When the female Anopheles mosquito feeds on the blood of a human, it injects the sporozoite containing saliva into the bloodstream. Therefore, statement I is true but statement II is false.
Only the female Anopheles mosquitoes feeds on animal blood because it is rich in nutrients which is used to nourish its eggs. Therefore, statement III is true.