Read the passage and answer the following question:
Some of the human diseases are caused by protozoans too. You might have heard about malaria, a disease man has been fighting since many years. Plasmodium, a tiny protozoan is responsible for this disease. Different species of Plasmodium (P. vivax, P. malaria and P. falciparum) are responsible for different types of malaria. 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. 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. The malarial parasite requires two hosts – human and mosquitoes – to complete its life cycle; the female Anopheles mosquito is the vector (transmitting agent) too.
Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Among the types of malaria, malignant malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is the most serious one and can even be fatal.
Statement II: Entamoeba histolytica is a protozoan parasite in the large intestine of human which causes amoebiasis.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
Both statements are about diseases caused by protozoans. Plasmodium causes malaria and Entamoeba causes amoebiasis.
Statement I: Among the types of malaria, malignant malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is the most serious one and can even be fatal. — True. Different species of Plasmodium cause different types of malaria. Of these, malignant malaria caused by P. falciparum is the most serious and can even be fatal.
Statement II: Entamoeba histolytica is a protozoan parasite in the large intestine of human which causes amoebiasis. — True. Entamoeba histolytica lives in the large intestine and causes amoebiasis (amoebic dysentery). Houseflies carry the parasite from faeces to food.
NCERT Extract:
Common Diseases in Humans – “… Different species of Plasmodium (P. vivax, P. malaria and P. falciparum) are responsible for different types of malaria. Of these, malignant malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is the most serious one and can even be fatal.”
Common Diseases in Humans – “… Entamoeba histolytica is a protozoan parasite in the large intestine of human which causes amoebiasis (amoebic dysentery). Symptoms of this disease include constipation, abdominal pain and cramps, stools with excess mucous and blood clots.”