Which type of microbe transmits malaria?

Malaria is transmitted by protozoa, specifically members of the genus Plasmodium. This organism is a eukaryotic microorganism that lives and multiplies in the red blood cells of infected individuals. The transmission occurs when an infected female Anopheles mosquito bites a human, injecting the protozoan into the bloodstream.

Protozoa are single-celled eukaryotic organisms that can be found in various environments and have various modes of reproduction and metabolism. In the case of malaria, the lifecycle of Plasmodium involves complex stages, both in the mosquito and the human host, which is crucial for understanding how the disease spreads.

In contrast, bacteria are prokaryotic organisms, and while they can cause diseases, they are not responsible for transmitting malaria. Similarly, viruses are nucleic acid-based organisms that infect host cells and can lead to various diseases, but they do not play a role in malaria transmission. Fungi, while significant in other contexts of microbiology, are also not involved in the transmission of malaria. Thus, the correct answer highlights the specific role of protozoa in the lifecycle and transmission of malaria, emphasizing their distinct characteristics that differentiate them from other types of microbes.