Erythrocyte feeding stage of Plasmodium is

Options

A. merozoite
B. sporozoite
C. metacryptomerozoite
D. trophozoite

Answer

To answer the question "Erythrocyte feeding stage of Plasmodium is?", we need to analyze the life cycle of the Plasmodium parasite, which is responsible for malaria. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the solution:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Plasmodium Life Cycle**:
- Plasmodium has a complex life cycle that involves two hosts: the female Anopheles mosquito (primary host) and humans (secondary host).

2. **Infection Process**:
- When an infected female Anopheles mosquito bites a human, it injects sporozoites into the bloodstream. These sporozoites travel to the liver.

3. **Exoerythrocytic Cycle**:
- In the liver, sporozoites undergo a stage called the exoerythrocytic cycle, where they develop into schizonts and then release merozoites into the bloodstream.

4. **Erythrocytic Cycle**:
- The merozoites then enter red blood cells (RBCs) and initiate the erythrocytic cycle. This is where the parasite feeds and grows.

5. **Trophozoite Stage**:
- Inside the RBC, the merozoites develop into trophozoites. This stage is characterized by the immature ring-shaped structure that appears in the RBC.
- The trophozoite is the feeding stage of Plasmodium, as it consumes hemoglobin and other nutrients from the host's blood.

6. **Maturation and Schizont Formation**:
- The trophozoite matures into a schizont, which can then rupture the RBC, releasing more merozoites to infect additional RBCs, continuing the cycle.

7. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the correct answer to the question is that the erythrocyte feeding stage of Plasmodium is the **Trophozoite**.

### Final Answer:
**Trophozoite**

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