| How is red cell size and shape affected in P.falciparum?
Although each species alters the red cell that they occupy, for P.faciparum the changes are relatively modest for trophozoites (and for the rarely seen schizonts). The changes are much more significant for gametocytes but these are considered separately. P.falciparum (like P.knowlesi) causes very few changes to red cells for typical ring forms: Red cell size and shape is generally unchanged although they may become crenated
The early (A) trophozoites lie within red cells that do not change size or shape, at later development (B) they may remain unchanged or acquire subtle crenation.
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