Top - Apicoplast and mitochondrial morphology and association during schizogony in P. falciparum. Live citrate synthase-YFP and acyl carrier proten DsRed double transfectant cells were co-labelled with the nuclear dye Hoechst 33258. Apicoplast morphology was categorized into four sorts: (i) rounded (ii) elongated (iii) branched and (iv) divided. Results indicated that at the onset of schizogony, the apicoplast is predominantly elongated in form. By the 6–10 nucleus stage, branched apicoplasts are the predominant form, with the majority of apicoplasts divided by the >15 nucleus stage. Bottom - Mitochondrial morphology was categorized as (i and ii) elongated (iii) branched and (iv) divided. The mitochondrion is a dynamic organelle, whose predominant form throughout the asexual cycle was branched. Mitochondrial division occurs very late in schizogony. The mitochondrion appears capable of fusion (ii and iii) and frequently associates with the plasma membrane (ii, arrow).

van Dooren GG, Marti M, Tonkin CJ, Stimmler LM, Cowman AF, McFadden GI. Development of the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrion and apicoplast during the asexual life cycle of Plasmodium falciparum. Mol Microbiol. 2005 57:405-19.