Plasmodium is a

Options

A. symbiont
B. parasite
C. saprophyte
D. none of these

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Options**: The question asks what Plasmodium is, providing four options: symbiote, parasite, saprophyte, or none of the above.

2. **Defining Symbiote**: A symbiote is an organism that lives in close association with another organism. This relationship can be mutualistic, commensal, or parasitic. However, Plasmodium does not fit this definition as it does not have a mutualistic relationship with its host.

3. **Defining Parasite**: A parasite is an organism that lives on or in a host organism and gets its food at the expense of its host. Plasmodium is known to be a parasite because it requires a host (like humans or mosquitoes) to survive and reproduce.

4. **Defining Saprophyte**: Saprophytes are organisms that feed on non-living organic matter, such as decaying plants and animals. Plasmodium does not fit this definition as it does not feed on dead organic matter.

5. **Conclusion**: Based on the definitions, Plasmodium is classified as a parasite because it relies on a host for its survival and causes diseases such as malaria. Therefore, the correct answer is option 2: parasite.

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