In this short film Dr Michael Mosley investigates the parasite Plasmodium that carries malaria. This disease kills more than half a million people per year.
He gives a sample of his blood to the National Institute for Medical Research.
They infect his blood with Plasmodium and watch under a microscope as this parasite infects his red blood cells.
When mature, the parasite causes the host’s red blood cells to burst to release more parasites. This dramatic footage is seen.
This often leads to anaemia and death.
Michael Mosley then describes how infected mosquitos have a better sense of smell than unaffected ones.
This short film is from the BBC series, Michael Mosley: Infested! Living with parasites.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS SHORT FILM CONTAINS DISTURBING SCENES AND TEACHER REVIEW IS RECOMMENDED PRIOR TO USE IN CLASS.
Teacher Notes
Malaria could be studied in more detail as an example of a parasitic form of symbiosis.
Students could piece together a display showing transmission and the life cycle of plasmodium, highlighting the key concepts of transmission, host and vector.
Curriculum Notes
This short film is suitable for teaching biology at KS4/GCSE in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and National 4/5 in Scotland.
More from Michael Mosley: Infested! Living with Parasites:
Infested by hookworm. video
In this short film Dr Michael Mosley investigates hookworms - large parasites which invade our immune system. He meets a sufferer of Crohn’s disease who infected himself with hookworms to reduce his symptoms.
Infested by leeches. video
In this short film Dr Michael Mosley interviews a surgeon who is pioneering the use of leeches in medical research.
Infested by lice. video
In this short film Dr Michael Mosley visits a 'delousing salon' in London to collect live head lice.
Infested by tapeworms. video
In this short film Dr Michael Mosley visits Kenya to see how the beef tapeworm needs to infect both beef cattle and humans to complete its life-cycle.
Infested by Toxoplasma gondii. video
In this short film Dr Michael Mosley describes the infection of household cats with Toxoplasma gondii.
