Malaria is caused by which of the following?

Malaria is caused by protozoa, specifically from the genus Plasmodium. This group of single-celled organisms enters the human body through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito, where it then multiplies and affects red blood cells, leading to the symptoms associated with malaria.

Understanding that malaria is caused by protozoa rather than other types of pathogens is crucial in both medical and ecological contexts. For example, bacterial infections, viral infections, and parasitic worms are distinct from protozoan infections in terms of their structure, reproduction, and the treatment strategies used to combat them. This distinction is vital for effective public health strategies and for developing targeted interventions to control mosquito populations that spread malaria.