What one-celled parasite is known to cause Malaria?

The one-celled parasite that is known to cause Malaria is Plasmodium. This genus comprises several species that can infect humans, with Plasmodium falciparum being the most lethal. Malaria is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, which introduce the parasites into the bloodstream.

Plasmodium undergoes a complex life cycle, including phases in both human hosts and mosquito vectors. In humans, the parasites thrive in the liver and then invade red blood cells, leading to the symptoms associated with malaria, such as fever, chills, and flu-like illness. The ability of Plasmodium to quickly reproduce within red blood cells and its various species adaptations makes it a significant public health concern in many tropical and subtropical regions.

The other options provided do not relate to malaria: Giardia is linked to gastrointestinal infections, Toxoplasma is associated with toxoplasmosis and commonly transmitted through cat feces, and Entamoeba primarily causes amoebic dysentery. Each of these organisms has unique characteristics and causes different diseases, underscoring the importance of correctly identifying Plasmodium as the causative agent of malaria.