Malaria is caused by plasmodium. the vector responsible for transmitting plasmodium is female anopheles mosquito.

Malaria is caused by:

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite. The parasite is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female mosquitoes of the Anopheles genus.

Plasmodium:

Plasmodium is a genus of parasitic protozoans that belong to the phylum Apicomplexa. There are several species of Plasmodium that can cause malaria in humans, including Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, and Plasmodium ovale. Among these, Plasmodium falciparum is the most severe and deadly species.

Anopheles mosquitoes:

Anopheles mosquitoes are the primary vectors responsible for transmitting the malaria parasite to humans. Female mosquitoes of the Anopheles genus are capable of transmitting the parasite because they require a blood meal to nourish their eggs. When an infected mosquito bites a human, it injects the Plasmodium parasites into the bloodstream of the individual.

Life cycle of the parasite:

The life cycle of the Plasmodium parasite involves two hosts - humans and mosquitoes. The stages of the life cycle include:

1. Infected mosquito: The cycle begins when an infected female Anopheles mosquito bites a human to obtain a blood meal. During the blood meal, the mosquito injects the sporozoites (infective form of the parasite) into the human's bloodstream.

2. Liver stage: The sporozoites travel to the liver, where they invade liver cells and undergo asexual reproduction. This stage is asymptomatic and can last for several days or weeks, depending on the Plasmodium species.

3. Blood stage: The infected liver cells release merozoites (the multiplying form of the parasite) into the bloodstream. The merozoites invade red blood cells and replicate, leading to the destruction of the infected cells. This stage is associated with the characteristic symptoms of malaria, such as fever, chills, and flu-like illness.

4. Mosquito transmission: When an uninfected mosquito bites an infected human, it ingests the parasite along with the blood. Inside the mosquito, the parasites undergo sexual reproduction, forming gametocytes.

5. Sporogony: The gametocytes develop into gametes, which fuse to form zygotes. The zygotes then develop into sporozoites, which migrate to the mosquito's salivary glands. The cycle is completed when the infected mosquito bites another human, transmitting the sporozoites and initiating a new infection.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, malaria is caused by the Plasmodium parasite, which is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Understanding the life cycle of the parasite and the role of mosquitoes in transmission is crucial for the development of effective prevention and control strategies against malaria.