Q.Explain anisogamy and the formation of the ookinete in the mosquito host of Plasmodium.
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Fertilisation in the life cycle of Plasmodium vivax takes place inside the mosquito's stomach, following exflagellation of the microgametocyte and maturation of the macrogametocyte into a macrogamete. Because the two gametes involved are visibly dissimilar — a small, actively motile microgamete and a larger, non-motile macrogamete — their fusion is termed anisogamy (fusion of unlike gametes), distinguishing it from isogamy (fusion of identical gametes). This fusion produces a diploid zygote. Rather than remaining a simple rounded cell, the zygote elongates and becomes actively motile, transforming into a worm-like structure called the ookinete. Using its motility, the ookinete actively penetrates through the stomach (gut) wall of the mosquito, moving from the interior of the stomach to just beneath its outer surface lining. Once there, it comes to rest and rounds off, transforming into the next …
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