Plasmodium
Further Explanation
Plasmodium is a genus of parasitic protozoa.
The disease caused by this genus is known as malaria. This parasite usually has two hosts in its life cycle: mosquito vectors and vertebral hosts. At least ten species infect humans. Other species infect other animals, including birds, reptiles and rodents.
The spread of parasitic infections can occur through a number of ways, including through water, soil, feces, and food contaminated with parasites and ingested. Another way is spread through vectors (disease carriers). For example, malaria, spread by mosquito bites carrying the Plasmodium parasite. Although rare, parasitic infections can also spread through the blood, such as blood transfusions or organ transplants.
Anyone can get a parasitic infection. However, some groups of people have a greater risk of becoming infected with parasites, including:
People who suffer from immune system disorders.
Being in an area that lacks clean water supply for drinking.
Work in a daycare or in a location where workers come into contact with the land.
Swim in rivers, lakes or ponds where parasites live.
Have pets that may make contact with animals infected with parasites.
People who live or travel to tropical and subtropical regions.
Plasmodium lives as a parasite.
There are two main phases that cover the plasmodium life cycle, including:
The sporogony phase. This phase occurs when plasmodium is in the body of a mosquito. Plasmodium will sexually reproduce in the body of a mosquito. Inside the mosquito's body, the spores will turn into micro magnets and macro magnets, the two will unite to form zygotes and penetrate the intestinal walls of mosquitoes. Inside the mosquito's intestinal wall, the zygote will change into an ookinete, then an oocyst, then a sporozoite. The sporozoites will then move the mosquito's salivary glands. The sporozoites in the saliva of the mosquito will then produce sexual spores. Through mosquito bites, the sexual spores will enter the human body.
The Schizogonic Phase. The schizogony phase occurs when plasmodium is already in the human body. When humans get bitten by malaria mosquitoes and sporozoites enter the human body, the sporozoites through the bloodstream will move towards the human heart. In the heart, sporozoites will divide themselves and turn into merozoites. As a result of this process, the liver will suffer damage. In the human body, merozoites will attack by infecting erythrocytes. When infecting erythrocytes, merozoites will continue to divide so that the number of merozoites becomes more. Erythrocytes that continue to be infected will experience damage, rupture, and the number of merozoites will continue to increase. As a result of this process, the human body will produce toxins so that a fever occurs.
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Plasmodium
Details
Grade: High School
Subject: Biology
keywords: Plasmodium, parasite, malaria.
