Question:

In malaria, the sexual cycle is -

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The sexual cycle (sporogony) runs in the mosquito and ends in sporozoites.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
  • Sporozoite to gametocytes
  • Gametocytes to sporozoite
  • Occurs in humans
  • Responsible for relapse
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: The malaria parasite (Plasmodium) has two hosts: humans are the intermediate host where asexual schizogony occurs, and the female Anopheles mosquito is the definitive host where the sexual cycle (sporogony) takes place.

Step 2: When the mosquito ingests human blood containing gametocytes, these mature into gametes, fertilise to form a zygote (ookinete), develop into an oocyst, and finally release sporozoites. So the sexual cycle proceeds from gametocytes to sporozoites.

Step 3: Looking at the wrong options: sporozoite to gametocyte is the asexual sequence in the human, so option a is reversed. The sexual cycle occurs in the mosquito, not in humans, so option c is wrong. Relapse is caused by hypnozoites (exoerythrocytic stage) in the liver, not by the sexual cycle, so option d is wrong.

Step 4: Hence the sexual cycle is gametocytes to sporozoite.
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