Question

Etiological agent of Malaria is a :

• A. Bacteria
• B. Virus
• C. Protozoa
• D. Fungi

Hint:

Do not confuse the vector (the mosquito that carries the disease) with the etiological agent (the actual microscopic protozoan parasite that infects your red blood cells).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Concept:
This question tests basic knowledge of human pathology and the biological classification of the pathogen (etiological agent) responsible for malaria.

Step 2: Step-by-step Explanation:

• Malaria is a life-threatening disease transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.

• The actual organism that causes the disease is the Plasmodium parasite (e.g., Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax).

• Biologically, Plasmodium species are single-celled, eukaryotic organisms.

• They do not possess a cell wall (unlike bacteria or fungi) and are vastly more complex than viruses. They belong to the kingdom Protista and are specifically classified as Protozoa.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The causative agent of malaria is a protozoan. This corresponds to option (C).