It appears that infection by Plasmodium is negative for Anopheles.  We also showed in class that the mosquito immune system can be upregulated to limit or terminate Plasmodium infection of these mosquitoes.  So why don’t we see natural selection to upregulate the mosquito’s immune system and get rid of that parasite?  Best explanation. Upregulating the immune system comes at the cost of shortening life span and thus (most probably) reproductive success Having a Plasmodium infection is negative for the mosquito, but it protects against much worse pathogens Upregulation of the immune system in Plasmodium leads to more rapid development of Plasmodium, causing even greater problems for Anopheles Statement is wrong. This upregulation was done with genetic engineering in a lab. Alleles to do something like that do not exist in nature

Human Biology (MindTap Course List)
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305112100
Author:Cecie Starr, Beverly McMillan
Publisher:Cecie Starr, Beverly McMillan
Chapter9: Immunity And Disease
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 5CT
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It appears that infection by Plasmodium is negative for Anopheles.  We also showed in class that the mosquito immune system can be upregulated to limit or terminate Plasmodium infection of these mosquitoes.  So why don’t we see natural selection to upregulate the mosquito’s immune system and get rid of that parasite?  Best explanation.

  • Upregulating the immune system comes at the cost of shortening life span and thus (most probably) reproductive success
  • Having a Plasmodium infection is negative for the mosquito, but it protects against much worse pathogens
  • Upregulation of the immune system in Plasmodium leads to more rapid development of Plasmodium, causing even greater problems for Anopheles
  • Statement is wrong. This upregulation was done with genetic engineering in a lab. Alleles to do something like that do not exist in nature
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