Light micrograph of the malaria parasite,Plasmo- dium sp.,parasitising a red blood cell. At upper left,an infected red blood cell contains the internal dumb-bell shaped stage of this parasite. Other parasites (centre,blue) are seen among the blood cells. Malaria is spread by the mosquito Anopheles sp.,which deposits the Plasmodium para- site whilst sucking a human's blood. The parasite enters the liver,reproduces,then enters red blood cells to grow and multiply further. Infected red blood cells are destroyed and the patient becomes anaemic,suffering from recurrent fevers. Magnification: x320 at 6x4.5cm,x192 at 35mm size |