trophozoite

American  

[trof-uh-zoh-ahyt, troh-fuh-] / ˌtrɒf əˈzoʊ aɪt, ˌtroʊ fə- /

noun

Zoology.

1. a protozoan in the metabolically active growth stage.

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trophozoite British  

/ ˌtrɒfəˈzəʊaɪt /

noun

1. the form of a sporozoan protozoan in the feeding stage. In the malaria parasite this stage occurs in the human red blood cell Compare merozoite

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Etymology

Origin of trophozoite

First recorded in 1905–10; tropho- + -zo(on) + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

trophozoite

The trophozoite begins life as a small, rounded uninucleate corpuscle, which as it grows, becomes multinucleate.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 3 "Electrostatics" to "Engis" by Various

A young trophozoite which is becoming a gametocyte is distinguished from one which gives rise to a schizont by its much slower rate of growth, and the absence of any vacuoles in its cytoplasm.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 7 "Gyantse" to "Hallel" by Various

Correlated with the advanced degree of parasitism, there is a complete absence of specialization or differentiation of the cell-body, and the trophozoite is quite incapable of any kind of movement.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 5 "Clervaux" to "Cockade" by Various

In the case of intestinal Gregarines, the behaviour of the young trophozoite with respect to the epithelial cells of its host varies greatly.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 5 "Greek Law" to "Ground-Squirrel" by Various

Each is of quite simple, undifferentiated structure, possesses a large, easily-visible nucleus, and gives rise in due course to another young trophozoite.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 3 "Electrostatics" to "Engis" by Various