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Glite Dictionary
schizont

schizont

1 9.9
A stage in malaria parasites when one cell divides into many new cells
  • noun
  • /ˈskɪzənt/
  • Specialized
: esquizonte
  • The growth of schizonts in infected red blood cells is a crucial phase for the transmission of malaria to mosquitoes.

Examples

  • The number of schizonts was higher in animals treated with homeopathic medications.

    Blog text (27)

  • Figure 1. Schizonts (A) and ring form (B) of Plasmodium vivax, Ahmedabad, India, 2010-2011. Original magnification x1,000.

    Academic text (2012)

  • In the life cycle of the malaria parasite, the formation of schizonts occurs in the liver cells, leading to the production of new infectious stages.

  • Researchers observed that the presence of schizonts in the bloodstream indicated an active infection with the malaria parasite.

Surface Forms

schizont singular
schizonts plural

Morphology

schizont = schizo- (opaque) = schiz + ont

The term is formed from specialized combining forms (schiz-/schizo- + -ont) that are technical and unfamiliar to average learners, so the structure does not help derive the meaning.

Etymology

Schizont comes from Greek parts schizo- meaning 'split' and -ont meaning 'being'. A helpful image is a single parasite cell that 'splits' to make many new cells, which is exactly what a schizont is during the life of a malaria parasite.