Apicomplexans (sporozoans) replicate via ways of
multiple fission (also known as
schizogony). These ways include '
, and ', although the latter is sometimes referred to as schizogony, despite its general meaning. Merogony is an
asexually reproductive process of apicomplexa. After infecting a host cell, a trophozoite (
see glossary below) increases in size while repeatedly replicating its
nucleus and other
organelles. During this process, the organism is known as a '
or '.
Cytokinesis next subdivides the
multinucleated schizont into numerous identical daughter cells called merozoites (
see glossary below), which are released into the blood when the host cell ruptures. Organisms whose life cycles rely on this process include
Theileria,
Babesia,
Plasmodium, and
Toxoplasma gondii. Sporogony is a type of sexual and asexual reproduction. It involves
karyogamy, the formation of a
zygote, which is followed by
meiosis and multiple fission. This results in the production of sporozoites. Other forms of replication include '
and '. Endodyogeny is a process of
asexual reproduction, favoured by parasites such as
Toxoplasma gondii. It involves an unusual process in which two daughter cells are produced inside a mother cell, which is then consumed by the offspring prior to their separation. Endopolygeny is the division into several organisms at once by internal
budding. ==Glossary of cell types==