What causes malaria in humans?

Malaria is caused by a tiny protozoan named Plasmodium. Malignant malaria, which is the most serious form of malaria, is caused by Plasmodium falciparum. Plasmodium enters the human body as sporozoites (infectious form) through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquito.The female Anopheles mosquito is the vector (transmitting agent) in the life cycle of Plasmodium. The sporozoites of Plasmodium are stored in the salivary glands of the mosquito and when the mosquito bites a human, the sporozoites are introduced into their body.