At what stage is Plasmodium picked up by the female Anopheles ? Describe the life cycle of the parasite in this insect.

Explanation

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Stage of Plasmodium Picked Up by Female Anopheles**:
- The female Anopheles mosquito picks up Plasmodium in the **gametocyte stage**. These gametocytes are present in the bloodstream of an infected human when the mosquito bites.

2. **Life Cycle of Plasmodium in Female Anopheles**:
- **Step 1: Ingestion of Gametocytes**:
- When the female Anopheles mosquito bites an infected human, it ingests gametocytes (the sexual form of the parasite) along with the blood.
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