noun
- reproductive cells in certain organisms, especially parasites like malaria, that develop into gametes
Usage: biology; medical
Examples
- The malaria parasite produces gametocytes in the human bloodstream.
- Scientists studied the development of gametocytes in infected red blood cells.
- Gametocytes are essential for the sexual reproduction of malaria parasites.
- The presence of gametocytes indicates an active malaria infection.
- Mosquitoes pick up gametocytes when they feed on infected blood.
- Researchers are developing drugs that target gametocytes specifically.