Question

What is hemozoin?

Answer 1

Hint: It is mainly an iron containing pigment which accumulates in the cytoplasmic granules in the malaria parasites. They usually result in the breakdown product of hemoglobin. They are formed by the blood feeding parasites as the end product of their digestion.

Complete answer:
The malaria-causing Plasmodium species metabolizes the hemoglobin and all the other RBCs that are present in the body to create a toxic pigment which is termed as hemozoin.
Hemozoin is a disposal product formed from the digestion of the blood by the blood sucking or feeding parasites. The animals that suck the blood are called hematophagous organisms like malaria. These organisms digest the hemoglobin and release high qualities of free heme which is a non- protein component of the hemoglobin.
Heme is a prosthetic group that contains iron in the center of the heterocyclic porphyrin ring. Free hemes that are present in the cell are usually toxic to cells, so the parasites convert it into an insoluble crystalline form called hemozoin. In malaria, hemozoin is also called as malaria pigment.
The formation of hemozoin is essential for the survival of these parasites in the body. They are attractive targets for developing drugs and are used in the study of Plasmodium which is used to treat malaria.
Hemozoin is released into the circulation during reinfection and phagocytosed in vivo and in vitro by the host phagocyte and the play are major role in those cells. Many of these have post phagocytic effects that include erythropoiesis inhibition shown in vitro. During this process a powerful, short- term stimulation of oxidative burst by human monocytes occurs.

Note:
Black - brown pigment was observed by Johann Heinrich Meckel in 1847 in the blood and the speed in a person who was suffering from insanity. It was connected to malaria initially which was discovered by Charles Louis Aplhonsa Laveran. The name "hemozoin" was proposed by Louis Westernra Sambon.