Plasmodium species
(plaz-mo-dee-um)
Plasmodium species are the organisms that cause Malaria in humans. Below are the four pathogenic species.
Key:
A) Immature RBC - a red blood cell that has not fully matured.
B) Cytoplasmic ring - the cytoplasm of the parasite, appears in a ring form within red blood
cells.
C) Vacuole - fluid filled sac within the cytoplasm.
D) Chromatin dot (nucleus) - main, central portion of the parasite, contains genetic material.
E) Merozoites - cells produced within schizonts during asexual reproduction (schizogony).
F) Chromatin mass - large mass of genetic material, including DNA, found within the nucleus.
G) Homogeneous cytoplasm - cytoplasm that is the same throughout.
A) Immature RBC - a red blood cell that has not fully matured.
B) Cytoplasmic ring - the cytoplasm of the parasite, appears in a ring form within red blood
cells.
C) Vacuole - fluid filled sac within the cytoplasm.
D) Chromatin dot (nucleus) - main, central portion of the parasite, contains genetic material.
E) Merozoites - cells produced within schizonts during asexual reproduction (schizogony).
F) Chromatin mass - large mass of genetic material, including DNA, found within the nucleus.
G) Homogeneous cytoplasm - cytoplasm that is the same throughout.
Plasmodium falciparum
|
This organism is the most severe out of the Plasmodium species.
Plasmodium malariae
|
This organism can cause symptoms for 20 years or more.
Plasmodium ovale
|
This organism is very similar to P. vivax but it is not as severe.
Plasmodium vivax
|
This organism has the greatest geographical range.