What are sporozoans?

Options

A. linkage is an exception to the principle of independent assortment in heredity
B. galactosemia is an inbor error of metabolism
C. small populationsize results in random genetic drift in a population
D. baldness is a sex limited trait

Answer

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Definition of Sporozoans**: Sporozoans are a group of parasitic protozoans belonging to the phylum Apicomplexa. They are characterized by their spore-forming stage in their life cycle.

2. **Characteristics**: Sporozoans are unicellular organisms that lack locomotion in their mature form. They reproduce both sexually and asexually, often through a process called sporogony, where they produce spores.

3. **Life Cycle**: The life cycle of sporozoans typically involves multiple hosts. For example, the malaria-causing Plasmodium species has a complex life cycle that includes both human and mosquito hosts.

4. **Examples of Sporozoans**: Some well-known examples of sporozoans include Plasmodium (which causes malaria), Toxoplasma (which causes toxoplasmosis), and Cryptosporidium (which can cause gastrointestinal illness).

5. **Importance**: Sporozoans are significant in the study of infectious diseases, as many of them are responsible for serious health issues in humans and animals.