Question

Multiple fission in Plasmodium is-
a. Gamogony
b. Schizogony
c. Sporulation
d. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint:
This parasite organism undergoes a replicative process of asexual reproduction which results in the formation of merozites in an intermediate host (man).

Complete answer:
Option A is incorrect. Any of the erythrocytic schizogony-produced merozoites may undergo gamogony. Plasmodium gamogony is defined in two phases: gametocytogenesis that occurs in the vertebrate host's bloodstream, and gametogenesis occurring in the mosquito gut. The gametes merge into a zygote that first grows into an ookinete and then becomes an oocyst where sporogony occurs.

Option B is correct. This starts when female anopheles bites and injects sporozoites on the primary host man. These sporozoites undergo schizogony for the formation of merozoites in mesodermal tissue, reticuloendothelial cells of the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and endothelial capillary cells. In red blood cells, erythrocytic schizogony occurs. Often sporozoites produce several fissions and develop merozoites and gametocytes at a fixed period.

Option C is incorrect. Sporulation is a form of sexual reproduction in plants where the plants move the genetic material with the aid of numerous spores. Essentially, it is a mechanism in which spores are produced and the genetic matter is exchanged. This takes place in the Plasmodium. Sporulation is activated once cells in a medium that supports sporulation reach the stationary phase.

Option D is incorrect. Plasmodium multiple fission is an asexual mode of reproduction within species. The nucleus of the organism regularly divides into multiple daughter nuclei of similar size and each daughter nuclei separates a small portion of the cytoplasm together.

So, the correct answer is Option B.

Note: Schizogony corresponds to a replicative mechanism in which the parasite undergoes several stages of nuclear division without cytoplasmic division, followed by budding or segmentation to form progeny or merozoites, released into the circulatory system after the host hepatocyte has been destroyed.