What type of cellular damage in a malarial parasite would prevent it from penetrating a red blood cell?

Question

A.  Mutation in the variable surface glycoprotein genes
B.  A disruption of the cytoskeletal proteins
C.  Failure of the cross-linking of the peptidoglycans
D.  Damage to the choanocytes

Clarify Question
· What is the key concept addressed by the question?

  Gather Content
· What type of thinking is required?
· What do you already know about Plasmodium? How does it relate to the question?
 
Choose Answer
· Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach is most likely to produce the correct answer?
 
Reflect on Process
· Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?


Answer 1

B.  A disruption of the cytoskeletal proteins

Clarify Question
· What is the key concept addressed by the question?
        o This question is asking you to determine which type of damage to the Plasmodium cell would prevent it from entering a red blood cell. Many of the options would damage the Plasmodium, possibly killing it, but only one would prevent it from entering a red blood cell.

  Gather Content
· What type of thinking is required?
        o This question is an “apply” question, so it is asking for you to take a concept you already know (the anatomy of Plasmodium) and apply it to a new scenario to solve the problem.
· What do you already know about Plasmodium? How does it relate to the question?
        o Plasmodium is a member of the Apicomplexans. This group of protists is able to invade host cells using the apical complex. How does the apical complex work? What sort of damage would prevent the apical complex from working?
 
Choose Answer
· Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach is most likely to produce the correct answer?
        o Plasmodium is able to infect red blood cells using its apical complex. How does the apical complex work?
            · Does it use surface proteins?
            · Does it use the cytoskeleton?
            · Does it depend on peptidoglycans?
            · Does it use choanocytes?
        o You might be able to rule out some of the answers if they do not occur in protists.
 
Reflect on Process
· Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
        o This question asked you to determine which type of damage to Plasmodium would prevent it from infecting red blood cells. Answering this question required you understand how an apical complex works. You then had to apply this information to determine which type of damage would prevent the apical complex from working.
        o If you got the correct answer, great job!
        o If you got an incorrect answer, where did you get stuck?
            · Did you remember that peptidoglycans only occurs in Bacteria?
            · Did you remember that the apical complex depends on the cytoskeleton and secretory glands?