Malaria. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of red blood cells and Plasmodium falciparum protozoa. These protozoa (yellow) cause malaria. Several infected blood cells are seen here, distorted and containing yellow swellings. The disease is spread by bites from infected tropical mosquitoes (Anopheles sp.). The Plasmodia multiply inside red blood cells (red), and the cell eventually bursts, releasing more Plasmodia into the blood. The lack of red blood cells leads to anaemia, and mis-shapen infected blood cells can block blood vessels, leading to kidney failure, coma, and death. Magnification: x750 at 6x6cm size.