Malaria
Read the following passage carefully and answer the given questions.
Plasmodium, a tiny protozoan is responsible for malaria. 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 through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquito. The parasites initially multiply within the liver cells and then attack the RBCs resulting in their rupture. The rupture of RBCs is associated with release of a toxic substance, 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 mosquitos bite a human, the sporozoites are introduced in the body, thereby initiating the life cycle of parasite. It is interesting to note that the malarial parasite requires two hosts to complete its life cycle.
The toxin responsible for the occurrence of malarial fever is:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Haemozoin
The malarial parasite attacks the red blood cells and bursts them. The bursting releases a toxic substance, haemozoin. It is this toxin that causes the chill and high fever, which come back every three to four days.
(1) Haemoglobin — Incorrect. It is the oxygen-carrying pigment of the red blood cells. It is not a toxin.
(2) Haemozoin — Correct. It is the toxin released when the red blood cells burst.
(3) Hematoxylin — Incorrect. It is a stain that is used under the microscope. It has no connection with malaria.
(4) Myoglobin — Incorrect. It is the oxygen-binding protein of muscle.
Note: 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.
NCERT Extract:
Common Diseases in Humans – …

