In the previous stages the reproduction of the parasite has been asexual - that is there are no male or female forms.

After a while, some of the merozoites which are released when a schizont ruptures develop into gametocytes (male and female forms of the parasite) instead of continuing the asexual reproduction cycle described in stage 3.

The male form is called a microgametocyte, and the female form is called a macrogametocyte.

The image on the left shows both a macro- and a micro-gametocyte.

The Microgametocyte is on the right, and the macrogametocyte is on the left.

Microgametocytes are usually smaller and less common than macrogametocytes.

Image source: CDC Public Health Image Library