Apicomplexa: Plasmodium

Classification Domain: Eukaryota Superphylum: Alveolata Phylum: Apicomplexa Class: Aconoidasida Order: Haemosporida Family: Plasmodiidae Genus: Plasmodium

Parasitic At least 10 of the 200+ species of the genus Plasmodium infect humans. Other species of Plasmodium infect animals, such as birds, reptiles and rodents. The two hosts that a parasite always will have in their life cycle are the mosquito vector and the vertebrate host. An infection with Plasmodium (parasites) is known as Malaria

Key Features To distinguish these Parasites: Their ring like shape They are tubular There filamentous organelles at the apical end of the body

Life Cycle

Structure

Apicoplast Apicoplast is a unique organelle to Apicomplexans Too much is not known of the functions of the apicoplasts. Although, it is known to be vital for the parasites survival. The destruction of the Apicoplast does not kill parasite immediately, but prevents it from invading host cells. Product of secondary endosymbiosis

Evolution Evolution for Plasmodium occurred 130 million years ago. Same time, there was a rapid spread of Angiosperms (flowering plants). One explanation to evolution is that as angiosperms spread, mosquitoes increased, and thus the Plasmodium was spread out too. (Plasmodium relictum *pointed by arrows*) Plasmodium Vivax

Biomedical Since these parasites are eukaryotes, drugs that might kill Apicomplexans might also harm the human host. No effective vaccines Research is hard because very difficult to maintain live Plasmodium parasite culture. Plasmodium Falciparum Plasmodium Bergei Bergei

Miscellaneous 14 chromosomes, one mitochondria, and one plastid. Motile structures are absent except in certain gamete stages They are unicellular, spore-forming, and exclusively parasites of animals. The genus was created in 1885 by Marchiafava and Celli.