trophozoite

An elongated cell that develops from a sporozoite or a merozoite of an apicomplexan parasite and that feeds and grows within the host.

In sporozoans, as Monocystis, an individual parasite in the stage of development in which it is absorbing nourishment from its host and growing rapidly. When the trophozoite is ripe for reproduction it is called a sporont, or gametocyte.

A protozoan in the feeding stage of its life cycle.

a sporozoan in the active feeding stage of its life cycle