Which of the following single-celled organisms divide into many daughter cells simultaneously by multiple fission?

Correct option is C

​The correct answer is (c) Plasmodium

Explanation:

• Plasmodium is a single-celled protozoan that reproduces by multiple fission.
• In multiple fission, the nucleus divides multiple times, followed by the division of the cytoplasm, resulting in many daughter cells simultaneously.
• Plasmodium (the malaria-causing parasite) undergoes multiple fission during its life cycle inside the human liver and red blood cells.
• This method of reproduction helps Plasmodium to increase its population rapidly inside the host.

Information Booster:

Types of Asexual Reproduction in Unicellular Organisms:

1. Binary Fission: The parent cell splits into two daughter cells (e.g., Amoeba, Leishmania).
2. Multiple Fission: The nucleus divides multiple times before the cytoplasm divides, producing many daughter cells (e.g., Plasmodium).
3. Budding: A small bud grows on the parent cell, which later detaches (e.g., Yeast).

Life Cycle of Plasmodium:

1. Sporozoites enter the human body through a mosquito bite.
2. They invade liver cells and undergo multiple fission, producing merozoites.
3. Merozoites enter red blood cells (RBCs), where they again undergo multiple fission.
4. This causes the bursting of RBCs, leading to fever in malaria patients.