Question

Which of the following does not occur during the erythrocytic stage of the malarial life cycle?

1) Sporozoites are produced within erythrocytes and are released by the infected red blood cells.
2) The parasites are protected from the host's immune response.
3) The parasite reproduces sexually producing microgametocytes and macrogametocytes.
4) The parasite reproduces asexually via schizogony, producing merozoites.

Answer 1

During the erythrocytic stage of the malarial life cycle, sexual reproduction does not occur in erythrocytes; this only takes place in the mosquito after ingesting gametocytes from an infected blood meal.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question concerns the erythrocytic stage of the malarial life cycle, which is a part of the Plasmodium species development in humans. During the erythrocytic stage, the following events occur: asexual reproduction via schizogony producing merozoites, protection of the parasites from the host's immune response, and the release of merozoites upon the rupturing of infected red blood cells. However, sexual reproduction of the parasite does not occur during this stage. Instead, sexual reproduction takes place within the mosquito's gut after the mosquito has consumed the blood meal containing the microgametocytes and macrogametocytes.

Therefore, statement 3, which suggests that the parasite reproduces sexually producing microgametocytes and macrogametocytes within erythrocytes, does not occur during the erythrocytic stage. These events are part of the mosquito host stage, where sexual reproduction and the production of sporozoites occur.