schizogony

reproduction

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

Schizogony is a form of asexual reproduction characterized by multiple cell segmentation. This process is typical of sporozoans, such as the parasite that causes malaria. In parasitic protozoans like Plasmodium, schizogony involves the parasite undergoing multiple divisions within a host's cells, producing numerous new individuals called merozoites. These merozoites are then released to infect more cells, repeating the cycle. This method of reproduction allows parasites to multiply rapidly, increasing their chances of spreading to new hosts. The term "schizogony" was introduced in German by Ernst Haeckel in 1866.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

protist
Reproduction and life cycles
…divisions of a zygote) and schizogony (formation of multiple merozoites, as in malarial parasites). The latter two phenomena are characteristic of many protists that are obligate parasites of more advanced eukaryotes. Some multicellular algal protists reproduce via asexual spores, structures that are themselves often produced by a series of rapid…
Read More
…divisions of a zygote) and schizogony (formation of multiple merozoites, as in malarial parasites). The latter two phenomena are characteristic of many protists that are obligate parasites of more advanced eukaryotes. Some multicellular algal protists reproduce via asexual spores, structures that are themselves often produced by a series of rapid…
Read More

protozoan
Parasitic protozoan life cycles
…of asexual multiple division called schizogony. In the parasite Plasmodium, for example, this phase of the life cycle occurs in the liver and red blood cells of humans. The parasite (sporozoite) enters the host’s cells and grows while feeding on the cell contents. It then undergoes a multiple asexual division…
Read More
…of asexual multiple division called schizogony. In the parasite Plasmodium, for example, this phase of the life cycle occurs in the liver and red blood cells of humans. The parasite (sporozoite) enters the host’s cells and grows while feeding on the cell contents. It then undergoes a multiple asexual division…
Read More