Introduction:

Malaria is a parasitic disease that is transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquito. It is a life-threatening disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Malaria is caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Plasmodium.

Protozoa as the cause of Malaria:

Protozoa are single-celled organisms that can cause diseases. The Plasmodium parasite responsible for malaria has several species, including Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium malariae. These parasites are transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes.

Life cycle of Plasmodium:

The life cycle of Plasmodium involves two hosts- humans and mosquitoes. The parasite undergoes several stages in both hosts.

In humans:

• Sporozoites are injected into the bloodstream of humans during a mosquito bite.


• The sporozoites travel to the liver and multiply, forming merozoites.


• The merozoites are released into the bloodstream, where they invade red blood cells.


• Inside the red blood cells, the merozoites multiply and eventually cause the cells to burst, releasing more merozoites into the bloodstream.


• This cycle of invasion, multiplication, and cell bursting causes the symptoms of malaria.

In mosquitoes:

• When an infected mosquito bites a human, it ingests the merozoites along with the blood.


• The merozoites transform into male and female gametocytes in the mosquito's gut.


• The gametocytes mate, forming zygotes that develop into sporozoites.


• The sporozoites migrate to the mosquito's salivary glands, ready to infect another human during a subsequent bite.

Symptoms of Malaria:

The symptoms of malaria include fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue. In severe cases, malaria can cause organ failure, coma, and death.

Treatment and Prevention:

Malaria can be treated with antimalarial drugs. Prevention measures include using mosquito nets, wearing protective clothing, and using insect repellent. Efforts to control mosquito populations and develop a malaria vaccine are ongoing.

Malaria is caused by protozoa because protozoa is a infected mosquito and spread disease in the human body by bit