Parasitology: practice question

A Microbiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Microbiology · Parasitology

Sample item

In falciparum malaria, peripheral smears usually show only ring forms and gametocytes, although all asexual stages are produced. What is the reason?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Infected red cells carrying later stages adhere to capillary endothelium and are sequestered

Red cells infected with mature P. falciparum express PfEMP1 on surface knobs that bind endothelial receptors in deep capillaries. This sequestration is why late stages are absent in blood and why cerebral malaria occurs.

Option by option

  • A. Falciparum parasites do not have a trophozoite stage

    Falciparum has a normal trophozoite stage within red cells.

  • B. Trophozoites and schizonts are absent because the cycle occurs only in the liver

    The erythrocytic cycle occurs within red cells, not only in the liver.

  • C. Infected red cells carrying later stages adhere to capillary endothelium and are sequestered (correct)

    Cytoadherence sequesters trophozoite and schizont stages away from the circulation.

  • D. Late stages are destroyed by complement in plasma

    Complement lysis in plasma does not remove the late stages.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Microbiology questions

Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is C, Infected red cells carrying later stages adhere to capillary endothelium and are sequestered. Red cells infected with mature P.

Why is "Falciparum parasites do not have a trophozoite stage" not the answer?

Falciparum has a normal trophozoite stage within red cells.

Why is "Trophozoites and schizonts are absent because the cycle occurs only i…" not the answer?

The erythrocytic cycle occurs within red cells, not only in the liver.

Why is "Late stages are destroyed by complement in plasma" not the answer?

Complement lysis in plasma does not remove the late stages.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Parasitology in Microbiology. falciparum express PfEMP1 on surface knobs that bind endothelial receptors in deep capillaries. This sequestration is why late stages are absent in blood and why cerebral malaria occurs.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Parasitology?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.