1. Paramecium January 26, 2010

2. What is paramecium? Paramecium is a genus consisting of unicellular ciliate protozoa. Domain: Eukaryota Kingdom: Protista Phylum: Ciliophora Class: Ciliatea Order: Peniculida Family: Parameciidae Genus: Paramecium

3. Structures 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.

4. Conjugation Conjugation is the sexual reproduction of paramecium. During this process, two individuals come together and form a cytoplasmic bridge between them. This is followed by a complex set of divisions and degenerations of the macronuclei and micronuclei that results in an exchange in genetic material between the conjugants.

5. Locomotion Cilia are the locomotive part in the paramecium. In order to move forward, its cilia beat at an angle, backwards in unison. Paramecium moves by spiraling through the water on an invisible axis.

6. Paramecium Moving http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv0Sfvixe eo&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv0Sfvixe eo&feature=related

7. Review Questions 1.What kingdom do paramecium belong to? 2.What is the cavity of the paramecium that is able to contract. 3.What is the most important central organelle of a paramecium? 4.What is the sexual reproduction of paramecium called? 5.What forms between paramecium during sexual reproduction? 6.What structure is used for movement in paramecium?

8. Answers 1.Protista 2.Contractile vacuole 3.Large nucleus 4.Conjugation 5.Cytoplasmic bridge 6.Cilia