Paramecium
By: Elizabeth Kaake
Period 7
Bio 1
•
• Structure of a paramecium: large ciliate protozoan that lives in stagnant
freshwater.
• Cilia: minuscule cilia that envelop the paramecium and are used for locomotion.
• Contractile vacuole: cavity of the paramecium that is able to contract.
• Food vacuole: cavity of the paramecium responsible for digestion.
• Micronucleus: one of the less important central organelles of a paramecium.
• Oral groove: canal of the paramecium used to ingest nutrients.
• Gullet: cavity of the pharynx.
• Ectoplasm: vitreous superficial layer of a paramecium.
• Endoplasm: central part of a paramecium.
• Large nucleus: the most important central organelle of a paramecium.
• Canals of contractive vacuole: division of the contractile cavity of a paramecium.
• Trochocyst: root of a vibrative cilium of a paramecium.
The Definition of Paramecium
• any ciliated
freshwater protozoan
of the genus
Paramecium, having
an oval body and a
long, deep oral
groove.
• MORE ABOUT THE PARAMECIUM
• Paramecia are a group of unicellular ciliate protozoa formerly known as
slipper animalcules from their slipper shape. They are commonly studied as
a representative of the ciliate group. Paramecia range from about 50 to 350
µm in length, depending on species. Simple cilia cover the body which allow
the cell to move with a synchronous motion. There is also a deep oral
groove containing inconspicuous compound oral cilia (as found in other
peniculids) that is used to draw food inside. They generally feed upon
bacteria and other small cells. Osmoregulation is carried out by a pair of
contractile vacuoles, which actively expel water absorbed by osmosis from
their surroundings. Paramecia are widespread in freshwater environments,
and are especially common in scums. Paramecia are attracted by acidic
conditions. Certain single-celled eukaryotes, such as Paramecium, are
examples for exceptions to the universality of the genetic code. The
paramecium is a prolate spheroid, rounded at the front and pointed at the
back. The pellicle is a stiff but elastic membrane that gives the paramecium
its definite shape. Covering the pellicle are many tiny hairs, called cilia. On
the side beginning near the front end and continuing down half way is the
oral groove, which collects food until it is swept into the cell mouth. There is
an opening near the back end called the anal pore. The contractile vacuole
and the radiating canals are also found on the outside of a paramecium.
Uses of Paramecium
• To eat bad bacteria
… AND…
• Absorbs a variety of environmental toxins
PARAMECIUM
PICS (found on
Google)
Where is PARAMECIUM found??
• PARAMECIUM is
usually found in
freshwater or water in
a pond.
– www.ASK.com
What do PARAMECIUM eat??
• Paramecium love to eat decayed plant
matter, algae and also dead animal mater.
As impossible as it may seem, they even
eat animals smaller than themselves.
– (www.ASK.com)
Other Names for PARAMECIUM
• Slipper Animalcule,
• Lady Slippers……AND……..
• Paramecia Parameciidae.
– (www.ASK.com)
How does PARAMECIUM move?
• Paramecium move sort of like swimming,
they propel themselves along by using
hair like microtubules as their arms. These
"arms" wave around in the water causing
motion. (www.ASK.com)
What is a PARAMECIUM??
• A paramecium is a small one celled (unicellular) living
organism that can move, digest food, and reproduce.
They belong to the kingdom of Protista, which is a
group (family) of similar living micro-organisms. Microorganism means they are a very small living cell. You
might be able to see one as a tiny moving speck if your
eyesight is extremely good but for any detail at all you
need a microscope to look at and study them. They are
about .02 inches long (.5mm). They are also famous for
their predator-prey relationship with Didinium.
Paramecium are known for their avoidance behavior. If
an encounters a negative stimiulus, it is capable of
rotating up to 360 degrees to find an escape route.
What is the average size of a
PARAMECIUM?
• 0.25mm long
What kingdom does PARAMECIUM
belong to?
• The Protista kingdom. • http://bio.rutgers.edu
/~gb101/lab6_protist
s/movies/paramechig
h.mov
CONCLUSION
• Paramecium is
important to the
world. It eats bad
bacteria and yeast.
PARAMECIUM IS
IMPORTANT
• http://bio.rutgers.edu
/~gb101/lab6_protist
s/movies/parameclow.
mov