Read the following paragraph and answer the given questions.
Cancer detection is based on biopsy and histopathological studies. Techniques like radiography (use of X-rays), CT (computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) are very useful to detect cancers of the internal organs. Do you know why mother's milk is considered very essential for the new-born infant? The yellowish fluid colostrum secreted by mother during the initial days of lactation has abundant antibodies (IgA) to protect the infant. 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. The exaggerated response of the immune system to certain antigens present in the environment is called allergy. The use of drugs like anti-histamine, adrenalin and steroids quickly reduce the symptoms of allergy. Drugs like barbiturates, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, and other similar drugs, that are normally used as medicines to help patients cope with mental illnesses like depression and insomnia, are often abused. Morphine is a very effective sedative and painkiller, and is very useful in patients who have undergone surgery.
Malignant malaria is caused by -
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Plasmodium falciparum
Malaria is caused by different species of the protozoan Plasmodium, spread by the female Anopheles mosquito. Of these, malignant malaria, caused by Plasmodium falciparum, is the most serious and can even be fatal.
Option (1) Plasmodium malaria — Incorrect. It causes a milder form of malaria, not the malignant one.
Option (2) Plasmodium vivax — Incorrect. It causes a common, less dangerous malaria.
Option (3) Plasmodium felciperum — Incorrect. There is no such species. The correct name is falciparum, which is Option (4).
Note 1: The passage is taken from NCERT. NTA has put lines of the NCERT text together to make it. Most CUET (UG) questions come straight from NCERT, so study the book line by line, including figures and their titles.
Note 2: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2026 on 20-05-2026 (Slot 2), and in CUET (UG) 2025 on 29-05-2025 (Slot 1).