Contractile vacuoles act as water pumps for osmoregulation One paramecium cell has two star-shaped contractile vacuoles sitting on each end of the body. They are filled with fluids and are present at fixed positions between the endoplasm and ectoplasm. Contractile vacuoles are responsible for osmoregulation, or the discharge of excess water from the cell. The contractile vacuoles act … Read more
No, Paramecium species won’t prey on each other Paramecia eat microorganisms that are smaller than them, like bacteria, algae, and yeasts. However, Paramecium species won’t prey on each other. But two Paramecium species may compete for limited resources (nutrients and spaces). What is the Competitive Exclusion Principle? Russian biologist Georgy Gause (1910-1986) proposed the Competitive Exclusion Principle, sometimes referred … Read more
Eukaryotic Paramecium (pair-ah-me-see-um; plural, Paramecia) is a unicellular (single-celled) eukaryotic organism with a shape resembling a slipper. Paramecium is a eukaryote because it has a membrane-bound cell nucleus and many other organelles. Although paramecium is small and has only one cell, it can do everything that a living creature can do: Paramecium can swim, digest food, and … Read more
50 to 300 µm in length Paramecium (pair-ah-me-see-um; plural, Paramecia) is a unicellular (single-celled) living organism with a shape resembling a slipper. Paramecium is naturally found in aquatic habitats. You need a microscope to see the paramecia because they are only 50 to 300 µm (micrometers) in length. Their sizes vary from species to species. P. caudatum is among … Read more
Heterotroph A heterotroph is an organism that eats other plants or animals for energy and nutrients. Paramecia eat microorganisms that are smaller than them, like bacteria, algae, and yeasts. A single paramecium has the ability to eat 5,000 bacteria a day. As the paramecium moves forward, rotating around its own axis, food materials (like bacteria and algae) flow closer to … Read more
Paramecium is a unicellular microorganism Paramecium (pair-ah-me-see-um; plural, Paramecia) is a unicellular (single-celled) living organism with a shape resembling a slipper. Paramecium is naturally found in aquatic habitats. You need a microscope to see the paramecia because they are only 50 to 300 µm (micrometers) in length. Although paramecium is small and has only one cell, it … Read more
Paramecium lives in all kinds of fresh water environments Paramecia are widespread in freshwater, brackish (slightly salty), and marine environments. They are often very abundant in the stagnant water of pools, lakes, ditches, ponds, and slow-flowing water that is rich in decaying organic matter. Paramecia are attracted by acidic conditions since they feed on bacteria, which often slightly … Read more
Trichocysts Trichocyst (trick-o-sists) is a small spindle-like organelle situated in the ectoplasm with a minute pore opened on the pellicle surface. Trichocysts are arranged perpendicular to the ectoplasm. Trichocysts are filled with a dense refractive fluid containing swelled substances. When the paramecium cells receive mechanical, chemical, or electric stimuli, trichocysts discharge their contents and become long, … Read more
Paramecium collects the food into its mouth by cilia. Through phagocytosis, the food is packed into food vacuoles for digestion Paramecia eat microorganisms that are smaller than them, like bacteria, algae, and yeasts. A single paramecium has the ability to eat 5,000 bacteria a day. As the paramecium moves forward, rotating around its own axis, food materials (like … Read more
Paramecium cell moves using the tiny hair-like structures called cilia Paramecium cell moves and collects food using the tiny hair-like structures called cilia. These cilia are in constant motion and help paramecium move around. Paramecium can swim as fast as four times its body length per second. Paramecium can also change its direction by beating the cilia … Read more