Plasmodium & Human Symbiosis By: Rachel Schwab

Evasive Parasite Plasmodium hide in the human liver and in blood cells They hide from the immune system

A new Face Plasmodium changes the “face” (surface proteins that they show to the immune system. This allows it to be very good at resisting drugs. Plasmodium changes the “face” (surface proteins that they show to the immune system. This allows it to be very good at resisting drugs.

Life of Plasmodium 1 Female Anopheles mosquito bites infected person with malaria. (picks up plasmodium) Gametes form zygote in mosquito's digestive tract. Only diploid stage of life cycle Female Anopheles mosquito bites infected person with malaria. (picks up plasmodium) Gametes form zygote in mosquito's digestive tract. Only diploid stage of life cycle

Life of Plasmodium 2 Infected mosquito bites a person giving them plasmodium sporozoits. Sporozoites enter liver cells and divide to become merozoits, which can then enter red blood cells. Infected mosquito bites a person giving them plasmodium sporozoits. Sporozoites enter liver cells and divide to become merozoits, which can then enter red blood cells.

Life of Plasmodium 3 Merozoites grow and divide asexually. Break out of red blood cells causing fevers and chills. May enter new red blood cells. Some merozoites form gametocytes which starts the cycle over again. Merozoites grow and divide asexually. Break out of red blood cells causing fevers and chills. May enter new red blood cells. Some merozoites form gametocytes which starts the cycle over again.

Life Cycle

Review Questions What parasite causes Malaria? Where does plasmodium spend most of their life? What allows plasmodium to be “an evasive parasite”? Symptoms of Malaria? How is the cycle started over? Where is the zygote formed in the cycle? What parasite causes Malaria? Where does plasmodium spend most of their life? What allows plasmodium to be “an evasive parasite”? Symptoms of Malaria? How is the cycle started over? Where is the zygote formed in the cycle?