trophozoite

[ trof-uh-zoh-ahyt, troh-fuh- ]

noun

, Zoology.

1. a protozoan in the metabolically active growth stage.

trophozoite

/ ˌtrɒfəˈzəʊaɪt /

noun

1. the form of a sporozoan protozoan in the feeding stage. In the malaria parasite this stage occurs in the human red blood cell Compare merozoite

Word History and Origins

Origin of trophozoite¹

First recorded in 1905–10; tropho- + -zo(on) + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

The trophozoite is now large and full-grown, and has become rounded and ready for schizogony.

From Project Gutenberg

But the trophozoite forms only superficially resemble amoebas; their DNA tells us they are something much different indeed.

From Scientific American

In such cases, there is absolutely nothing to indicate the “double” nature of the growing trophozoite, but the presence of the two nuclei which remain quite distinct.

From Project Gutenberg

More than two spores, generally very many, are produced typically by each individual trophozoite.

From Project Gutenberg

Correlated with the advanced degree of parasitism, there is a complete absence of specialization or differentiation of the cell-body, and the trophozoite is quite incapable of any kind of movement.

From Project Gutenberg