Paramecium
Characteristics
• Called ‘Ciliates’ – from cilia
• Single-celled organisms
• Found in fresh water, some in salt and brackish
water all over the world.
• Have cilia – help with movement and feeding
• Heterotrophic
Structure
(Macronucleus)
pellicle
2. Thick outer membrane –
Gives it shape
3. Controls the cell’s
activities
4. Can have many of
these; contain the
chromosomes and are
used only during
conjugation.
5. Remove excess water
out of the cell; works
like a pump.
6. Takes in food here
8. Food is digested
9. Get rid of undigested
food particles here
Cilia
Pellicle
Macronucleus
Micronucleus
Contractile vacuole
Oral groove/ mouth pore
Gullet
Food vacuole
Anal pore
Trichocyst
Ectoplasm
Endoplasm
10. Protection or defense against
predators
Reproduction
Asexually through binary fission
Sexually through conjugation
2 Paramecium connect at the oral grooves and
exchange micronuclei