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sporozoan

(spôr′ə zō′ən)

noun

any of a class (Sporozoa) of parasitic protozoans that usually pass through phases of both sexual and asexual generation, frequently in different hosts, during which sporogenesis takes place, including the organisms that cause malaria and Texas fever

also sporozoon

Origin: < ModL Sporozoa (see sporo- & -zoa + -an

adjective

of the sporozoans

also sporozoic

Related Forms:

sporozoal adjective

See sporozoan in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Any of numerous parasitic protozoans of the class Sporozoa, most of which reproduce sexually and asexually in alternate generations by means of spores. They are frequently transmitted by bloodsucking insects to different hosts, where they cause many serious diseases, such as malaria and coccidiosis.

Origin:

Origin: From New Latin Sporozōa, class name

Origin: : sporo-

Origin: + -zōa

Origin: , pl. of -zōon, -zoon

Related Forms: