The vector of the malaria parasite is

1. Analyze the question The question asks for the vector of the malaria parasite. A vector is an organism that carries and transmits a disease-causing organism (pathogen) from one host to another.

2. Explain the concept Malaria is caused by a protozoan parasite called Plasmodium (species include P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae and P. ovale). It is transmitted by one specific type of mosquito, the female Anopheles mosquito.

Why female? Only female mosquitoes feed on blood, because they need the proteins in blood to develop their eggs. Male mosquitoes feed on plant nectar and do not bite. When a female Anopheles bites an infected person, she picks up the parasite. She then passes it on when she bites the next person.

3. Step-by-step elimination

• A. Female Aedes mosquito: Wrong. Aedes transmits yellow fever, dengue fever and Zika.
• B. Female Anopheles mosquito: Correct. It is the vector of Plasmodium, which causes malaria.
• C. Male Culex mosquito: Wrong. Male mosquitoes do not bite, so they cannot transmit diseases. Culex is also not the malaria vector.
• D. Female Culex mosquito: Wrong. Culex transmits filariasis (elephantiasis) and some types of encephalitis.

4. Answer The correct option is B. female Anopheles mosquito.

5. Tip for the exam Remember this pairing:

• Anopheles → Malaria (think "Anopheles = Aches and fever")
• Aedes → yellow fever and dengue
• Culex → filariasis (elephantiasis)

Also, any option with a male mosquito as a vector can be eliminated immediately, since males do not bite.