trophozoite
Noun
Meaning
trophozoite (plural trophozoites)
A protozoan in the feeding stage of its life cycle.
Examples
In the typical gregarine lifecycle, a trophozoite develops within a host cell into a schizont.
The trophozoite parasitises erythrocytes or other tissues in the vertebrate host.
The trophozoite (feeding-dividing form) is approximately 10-20 μm in diameter and feeds primarily on bacteria.