| RDT Quiz A Q2
During the trophozoite stage of parasite growth, the parasite changes as it progresses and the red cell is modified by the parasite. All species de-toxify the iron portion of the haemoglobin molecule producing malarial pigment (haemozoin) as they develop.
| Explanation of correct answer (click "Expand")
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Short answer taken from section "Malaria Biology - Malaria Pigment" (see the section for full details and links).
During their development malarial parasites metabolise the haemoglobin within erythrocytes to support their growth. Infected red cells at late stages of parasite development therefore may have no visible haemoglobin. However, as part of that process the parasite must "detoxify" the iron component of the haem element of the haemoglobin moleclue. This process creates a detoxified iron containing protein "haemozoin" which is visible as pigment - as you might expect this is most visible at late stages of parasite development when haemoglobin is fully metabolised. When schizonts rupture to release their daughter parasites, the pigment is also released and is taken up by phagocytes.
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