Malaria pathogen is Plasmodium; transmission via Anopheles mosquito bite

Steps:

• Identify pathogen: Malaria caused by protozoan parasites of genus Plasmodium (species like P. falciparum).
• Confirm transmission: Vector-borne, spread by bite of infected female Anopheles mosquito (not direct contact or water).
• Match to choices: Assume 2=Plasmodium, X=mosquito vector based on standard biology.
• Select option: C pairs correct pathogen (2) with correct method (X).

Why C is correct:

• Plasmodium (2) infects red blood cells; Anopheles mosquito (X) transmits sporozoites during blood meal, per CDC/WHO definitions.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Wrong transmission (X correct, but 1 likely bacterium/virus, not parasite).
• B: Wrong pathogen and transmission (2 correct, but W likely direct contact or fecal-oral).
• D: Wrong pathogen (3 likely another disease agent) and transmission (Y likely airborne/waterborne).

Final answer: C