Structure of Plasmodium
The diagram of Plasmodium clearly helps us understand its structure.
- Cellular Structure
- A plasma membrane envelops the cell, isolating its contents from the outside environment.
- Apical Complex
- Apical complex is a distinctive feature of Apicomplexa parasites
- Specialized organelles such as micronemes, rhoptries, and dense granules make up the apical complex.
- The parasite may pierce and infiltrate host cells with the help of these structures.
- Nucleus
- Mitochondria
- These specialized mitochondria are adapted to Plasmodium’s parasitic lifestyle.
- Through cellular respiration, mitochondria produce energy (in the form of ATP), giving the parasite the metabolic fuel it needs to survive and proliferate.
- Apicoplast
- The apicoplast, a special organelle found only in Plasmodium, is the result of ancient endosymbiotic relationship with an ancestral algae species.
- Fatty acid and isoprenoid production are two metabolic processes that the apicoplast is involved in and that are vital to the growth and survival of the parasite.
- Golgi Apparatus and Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
- The Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum found in Plasmodium are involved in the production, modification, and trafficking of proteins.
- These organelles secrete proteins that are essential for immune evasion, host cell penetration, and other facets of parasite life.
- Cytoskeleton
- The complex cytoskeleton of Plasmodium is made up of actin filaments and microtubules.
- In addition to supporting the cell structurally, the cytoskeleton helps with a number of biological functions, such as cell division, motility, and host cell invasion.
- Ribosome
Diagram of Plasmodium
The diagram of Plasmodium shows the cellular structure, apical complex, nucleus, mitochondria, apicoplast, Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and cytoskeleton. Plasmodium is a eukaryotic, unicellular parasite Plasmodium is a member of the phylum Apicomplexa.In this article, we will study the diagram of Plasmodium and its structure.
The diagram of Plasmodium class 12 is an important topic in the biology syllabus. The labeled diagram of plasmodium under a microscope is given below:
Table of Content
- What is Plasmodium?
- Structure of Plasmodium
- Conclusion – Diagram of Plasmodium
- FAQs on Diagram of Plasmodium