Merozoite

• A stage in the life cycle of the malarial parasite (plasmodium).
• Many merozoites are formed during the asexual division of the schizont (see schiogony).
• The released merozoites may invade new red blood cells or new liver cells, and continue the asexual phase with the production or yet more merozoites, effectively spreading the infection.
• Alternatively, merozoites invade red blood cells and begin the sexual cycle with the formation of male and female sx cells (see microgametocyte, marcogametocyte)