merozoite

Introduction

Motile, infective stage of sporozoan protozoa that results from schizogony, or other type of asexual reproduction. Merozoites form at the surface of schizonts or blastopores & account for the reproductive capacity of sporozoa. Cyclic production of merozoites accounts for the intermittent fever of malaria.

Additional terms

• malaria
• schizogony
• schizont
• sporozoa