Arrange the following steps which are involved in the life cycle of Plasmodium in the correct sequence.
A. Female mosquito takes up gametocytes with blood meal.
B. Parasites reproduce asexually in human liver cells and liver cells are burst.
C. Infected female Anopheles mosquito bites human and sporozoites are injected.
D. Fertilization and development takes place in the mosquito’s gut.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → C, B, A, D
C. Infected female Anopheles mosquito bites human and sporozoites are injected. — this comes first. The infective form of Plasmodium is the sporozoite. It enters the human body through the bite.
B. Parasites reproduce asexually in human liver cells and liver cells are burst. — this comes second. The parasites first multiply in the liver cells. Then they burst out and attack the red blood cells.
A. Female mosquito takes up gametocytes with blood meal. — this comes third. Some parasites in the red blood cells change into gametocytes. A female mosquito that bites the infected person takes them up.
D. Fertilization and development takes place in the mosquito’s gut. — this comes last. In the mosquito the gametocytes fuse. The zygote develops and forms sporozoites, which are ready for the next bite.
Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2026 on 21-05-2026 (Slot 2).
NCERT Extract:
Common Diseases in Humans – “… Plasmodium enters the human body as sporozoites (infectious form) through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquito. The parasites initially multiply within the liver cells and then attack the red blood cells (RBCs) resulting in their rupture. The rupture of RBCs is associated with release of a toxic substance, haemozoin, which is responsible for the chill and high fever recurring every three to four days. When a female Anopheles mosquito bites an infected person, these parasites enter the mosquito’s body and undergo further development. The parasites multiply within them to form sporozoites that are stored in their salivary glands. When these mosquitoes bite a human, the sporozoites are introduced into his/ her body, thereby initiating the events mentioned above.”