trophozoite

A trophozoite is the active, feeding stage of certain microscopic parasites called protozoa. During this phase, the organism is alive, moving, and growing by consuming nutrients from its environment. Trophozoites are often responsible for causing symptoms or disease, as they interact with their host tissues. They can transform into a dormant cyst stage to survive harsh conditions, and when conditions improve, they revert to the trophozoite form to continue growing and reproducing. This stage is essential for the parasite’s life cycle and understanding how it infects and affects hosts.