Question 1: Malaria is a disease caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It leads to symptoms such as fever, chills, and sweating. Understanding its transmission and lifecycle helps in controlling its spread.

Answer: Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted by infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, leading to symptoms like fever and chills.

Question 1: Define the term 'vector' in the context of Malaria.

Answer: A vector is an organism, such as a mosquito, that transmits a disease-causing pathogen to humans.

Question 2: Describe the role of the Plasmodium parasite in the lifecycle of Malaria.

Answer: The Plasmodium parasite infects humans when bitten by an infected mosquito, multiplies in the liver and red blood cells, causing symptoms, and then is transmitted to new mosquitoes.

Question 1: Explain the process by which a mosquito transmits Malaria to humans.

Answer: An infected mosquito bites a human, injecting Plasmodium parasites into the bloodstream. The parasites then infect liver cells and red blood cells, causing symptoms and continuing the cycle.

Question 1: If a mosquito bites 10 people per night and 5% of these people are infected with Malaria, how many people are infected after 100 mosquito bites?

Answer: Number of infected people = (Number of bites) × (percentage infected) = 100 × 0.05 = 5 people

Question 1: Describe a basic experiment to test the effectiveness of mosquito nets in reducing Malaria transmission. Include variables and safety precautions.

Answer: An experiment could involve two similar areas, one with mosquito nets and one without. Variables include presence of nets (independent) and number of infected mosquitoes (dependent). Safety precautions include wearing protective clothing and avoiding contact with mosquitoes.

Question 1: In a community of 10,000 people, health officials report that after implementing mosquito control measures, the number of Malaria cases decreased from 2,000 to 500 over a year. Calculate the percentage decrease in cases.

Answer: Percentage decrease = [(Initial cases - Final cases) / Initial cases] × 100 = [(2000 - 500) / 2000] × 100 = 75%

Question 1: Explain in detail the lifecycle of the Plasmodium parasite, including how it infects humans and mosquitoes. Discuss how understanding this cycle can help in developing control strategies for Malaria.

Answer: The lifecycle begins when an infected mosquito bites a human, injecting Plasmodium sporozoites into the bloodstream. These travel to the liver, where they mature into schizonts and then release merozoites. Merozoites infect red blood cells, causing symptoms. Some develop into gametocytes, which are taken up by another mosquito during a blood meal. Inside the mosquito, gametocytes fuse to form zygotes, develop into ookinetes, and eventually form new sporozoites in the salivary glands, completing the cycle. Understanding this cycle helps target specific stages with drugs, vaccines, or vector control to reduce transmission.

Question 1: Describe how the development of genetically modified mosquitoes could help reduce the incidence of Malaria.

Answer: Genetically modified mosquitoes can be designed to reduce mosquito populations or make them unable to transmit the Plasmodium parasite, thereby decreasing Malaria transmission.