sporogony

biology

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July 14, 2026

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Sporogony is a biological term referring to reproduction by spores. Specifically, it involves the formation of spores, often containing sporozoites, which results from the division of a zygote. This process is characteristic of some protozoans, such as those in the Apicomplexa group.12

In parasitic protozoans like Plasmodium, which causes malaria, sporogony occurs within the mosquito vector. After sexual reproduction in the mosquito's gut, a zygote undergoes sporogony to produce many sporozoites. These sporozoites are then transmitted to a new host when the mosquito bites.34

In bryophytes (mosses and liverworts), the sporophyte generation develops from a fertilized egg and produces spores within a capsule. This sporophyte is attached to and dependent on the gametophyte generation.56

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protist
Reproduction and life cycles
…of the surrounding cytoplasm, to sporogony (production of sporozoites by repeated 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,…
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…of the surrounding cytoplasm, to sporogony (production of sporozoites by repeated 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,…
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protozoan
Parasitic protozoan life cycles
…diploid zygote, which then undergoes sporogony, a process of multiple divisions in which many sporozoites are produced. The sporozoites migrate to the salivary glands of the insect and are injected into a new host when the mosquito feeds again. They are carried by the blood to the liver, where they…
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…diploid zygote, which then undergoes sporogony, a process of multiple divisions in which many sporozoites are produced. The sporozoites migrate to the salivary glands of the insect and are injected into a new host when the mosquito feeds again. They are carried by the blood to the liver, where they…
Read More