Malaria parasite. Image 1 of 10. Coloured transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of a malaria trophozoite in a human red blood cell. The trophozoite (Plasmodium sp.) develops after sporozoites are injected into the body by a mosquito (Anopheles sp.). It inhabits the red blood cells (erythrocytes), digesting the cells' haemoglobin and causing anaemia. It then replicates, releasing merozoites which invade other erythrocytes. The periodic release of merozoites causes severe cyclic fevers. Magnification unknown. For the complete malaria parasite life cycle, see images M210/197-206.