Answer: Plasmodium (protozoan).
- A Bacteria spread through contaminated water
- B Virus carried by Aedes mosquitoes
- C Plasmodium (protozoan)
- D Fungus that infects the lungs first
Correct answer: C. Plasmodium (protozoan)
Explanation: Malaria is caused by Plasmodium, a protozoan parasite. The four species infecting humans are P. vivax, P. falciparum (most dangerous), P. malariae, and P. ovale. It is transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquito.
The Plasmodium parasite needs both hosts: the female Anopheles mosquito injects sporozoites while biting (infecting the human liver and RBCs, causing the malaria fever cycle), then picks up gametocytes from an infected person's blood, completing the parasite's sexual stage inside the mosquito.
Concept context
Pathogens, infectious diseases, non-infectious diseases, drugs, cancer, and public health. High NEET importance.