Malaria Pathogen and Transmission

Steps:

• Recall malaria's causative agent: Plasmodium, a protozoan parasite.
• Identify transmission method: bite from infected female Anopheles mosquito, an insect vector.
• Examine options: match protozoan pathogen with insect transmission.
• Select A as it aligns with both pathogen type and vector.

Why A is correct:

• Malaria is caused by protozoan parasites (Plasmodium spp.) and transmitted via insect vectors (mosquitoes), per standard medical definitions.

Why the others are wrong:

• B: Stagnant water breeds mosquitoes but does not transmit malaria; direct bite required.
• C: Pathogen is protozoan, not virus; blood transmission irrelevant.
• D: Pathogen is protozoan, not virus; moist air not a transmission route.

Final answer: A