The vector of the malaria parasite is the

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which organism carries (transmits) the malaria parasite from one person to another. That carrier is called the vector.

Step 2: Explain the concept

• Malaria is caused by a protozoan parasite called Plasmodium (e.g., P. falciparum, the most common in Nigeria).
• The parasite is transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquito.
• Only the female bites humans because she needs a blood meal to develop her eggs. Males feed on plant juices and nectar, so they do not bite and cannot transmit the parasite.
• Culex mosquitoes are not malaria vectors. They transmit diseases like filariasis (elephantiasis), while Aedes transmits yellow fever and dengue.

Step 3: Work through the options

• A. Female Anopheles mosquito: Correct. It is a female and it is the right genus.
• B. Female Culex mosquito: Wrong genus. It transmits filariasis, not malaria.
• C. Male Anopheles mosquito: The genus is right, but males do not bite.
• D. Male Culex mosquito: Wrong on both counts.

Step 4: Answer The vector of the malaria parasite is the female Anopheles mosquito, which is option A.

Exam tip: Remember "Anopheles = Ague (malaria)" and "Culex = Clubfoot (elephantiasis)", the swollen limbs of filariasis. Also, only females bite. If you see "male" in a mosquito vector question, you can eliminate that option immediately.