{"id":3848,"date":"2022-01-10T16:18:50","date_gmt":"2022-01-10T15:18:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thebiologynotes.com\/?p=3848"},"modified":"2023-08-03T00:15:28","modified_gmt":"2023-08-02T18:30:28","slug":"paramecium-caudatum-habitat-culture-structure-locomotion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/paramecium-caudatum-habitat-culture-structure-locomotion\/","title":{"rendered":"Paramecium caudatum- Habitat, Culture, Structure, Locomotion"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_3885\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3885\" style=\"width: 890px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3885\" src=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Paramecium-caudatum-Habitat-Culture-Structures-Locomotion.jpeg\" alt=\"Paramecium caudatum- Habitat, Culture, Structures, Locomotion\" width=\"900\" height=\"472\" srcset=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Paramecium-caudatum-Habitat-Culture-Structures-Locomotion.jpeg 900w, https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Paramecium-caudatum-Habitat-Culture-Structures-Locomotion-300x157.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Paramecium-caudatum-Habitat-Culture-Structures-Locomotion-768x403.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3885\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Created with BioRender.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0a0a0a;color:#0a0a0a\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0a0a0a;color:#0a0a0a\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/paramecium-caudatum-habitat-culture-structure-locomotion\/#habit-and-habitat\" title=\"Habit and Habitat\">Habit and Habitat<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/paramecium-caudatum-habitat-culture-structure-locomotion\/#culture\" title=\"Culture \">Culture <\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/paramecium-caudatum-habitat-culture-structure-locomotion\/#external-structures\" title=\"External structures\">External structures<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/paramecium-caudatum-habitat-culture-structure-locomotion\/#1-size-and-shape\" title=\"1. Size and shape\">1. Size and shape<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/paramecium-caudatum-habitat-culture-structure-locomotion\/#2-oral-groove\" title=\"2. Oral groove\">2. Oral groove<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/paramecium-caudatum-habitat-culture-structure-locomotion\/#3-cytoproct-cytopyge\" title=\"3. Cytoproct \/cytopyge\">3. Cytoproct \/cytopyge<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/paramecium-caudatum-habitat-culture-structure-locomotion\/#4-pellicle\" title=\"4. Pellicle\">4. Pellicle<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/paramecium-caudatum-habitat-culture-structure-locomotion\/#5-cilia\" title=\"5. Cilia\">5. Cilia<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/paramecium-caudatum-habitat-culture-structure-locomotion\/#internal-structures\" title=\"Internal structures\">Internal structures<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/paramecium-caudatum-habitat-culture-structure-locomotion\/#a-ectoplasm\" title=\"A. Ectoplasm\">A. Ectoplasm<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/paramecium-caudatum-habitat-culture-structure-locomotion\/#1-trichocysts\" title=\"1. Trichocysts\">1. Trichocysts<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/paramecium-caudatum-habitat-culture-structure-locomotion\/#2-infraciliary-system\" title=\"2. Infraciliary system\">2. Infraciliary system<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/paramecium-caudatum-habitat-culture-structure-locomotion\/#b-endoplasm\" title=\"B. Endoplasm\">B. Endoplasm<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/paramecium-caudatum-habitat-culture-structure-locomotion\/#-1-nucleus\" title=\"&nbsp;1. Nucleus\">&nbsp;1. Nucleus<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/paramecium-caudatum-habitat-culture-structure-locomotion\/#2-contractile-vacuoles\" title=\"2. Contractile vacuoles\">2. Contractile vacuoles<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/paramecium-caudatum-habitat-culture-structure-locomotion\/#3-food-vacuoles\" title=\"3. Food vacuoles\">3. Food vacuoles<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/paramecium-caudatum-habitat-culture-structure-locomotion\/#locomotion\" title=\"Locomotion\">Locomotion<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/paramecium-caudatum-habitat-culture-structure-locomotion\/#1-metaboly-or-body-contortions\" title=\"1. Metaboly or body contortions\">1. Metaboly or body contortions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/paramecium-caudatum-habitat-culture-structure-locomotion\/#-2-ciliary-beats\" title=\"&nbsp;2. Ciliary beats\">&nbsp;2. Ciliary beats<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/paramecium-caudatum-habitat-culture-structure-locomotion\/#references-and-sources\" title=\"References and Sources\">References and Sources<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"habit-and-habitat\"><\/span><strong>Habit and Habitat<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Paramecium<\/em> <em>caudatum<\/em> (Gr., <em>paramekes<\/em>=oblong+ L., <em>caudata<\/em>=tail) is a free-living organism which is one of the most common species of <em>Paramecium<\/em> having worldwide distribution.<\/li>\n<li>It is commonly found in freshwater, ponds, pools, ditches, streams, lakes, reservoirs, and rivers.<\/li>\n<li>It is usually found abundant in water containing decaying organic matters, in organic infusion, and in the sewage water.<\/li>\n<li>It thrives well in ponds or slowly running streams containing aquatic plants.<\/li>\n<li>It is also found to gather near the surface in scum.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"culture\"><\/span><strong>Culture <\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Paramecium is easily grown in wide mouth jars with glass covers, 3 quarters filled with boiled pond water or chalkey\u2019s medium dissolved in 1 liter of water, and with 7-12 drops of skimmed milk added weekly.<\/li>\n<li>The jars are kept away from direct light to allow bacteria to flourish which serves as food for the multiplying bacteria.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"external-structures\"><\/span><strong>External structures<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1-size-and-shape\"><\/span><strong>1. Size and shape<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>It is a microscopic, elongated organism which are visible to the naked eyes.<\/li>\n<li>It is light gray or white in color.<\/li>\n<li><em>P<\/em>. <em>caudatum<\/em> measures between 170\u00b5m and 330 \u00b5m long.<\/li>\n<li>It looks like the sole of a slipper or shoe-shaped, cigar-shaped, or spindle-shaped, hence the animal is commonly called a <strong>slipper<\/strong> <strong>animalcule<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Its shape is usually constant and in general asymmetrical.<\/li>\n<li>It is 4 times as long as broad and somewhat cylindrical with different ends.<\/li>\n<li>Its body is elongated, blunt and rounded at the anterior end and somewhat pointed at posterior ends.<\/li>\n<li>Its anterior half of the body is slightly twisted.<\/li>\n<li>Its body is distinguished into an oral or ventral surface and an aboral or dorsal surface.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2-oral-groove\"><\/span><strong>2. Oral groove<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Situated at the ventral surface of the body.<\/li>\n<li>Is a large, oblique, and shallow depression.<\/li>\n<li>It originates from the middle of the body and extends to the left side of the anterior end.<\/li>\n<li>It drives food materials.<\/li>\n<li>Oral groove leads into a v-shaped cavity called a <strong>vestibule<\/strong>. The vestibule leads into an oval-shaped opening called <strong>cytostome<\/strong>. Cytostome leads into funnel-shaped <strong>cytopharynx<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Cytopharynx the turn sharply towards the center of the body is the wide tapering <strong>esophagus<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Esophagus turns again towards the center of the anima to lead into the forming food vacuole.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; NOTE: Due to the oblique position of the oral groove the organism has lost its symmetry.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3-cytoproct-cytopyge\"><\/span><strong>3. Cytoproct<\/strong> <strong>\/cytopyge<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Is a small opening present on the ventral surface just behind the cytopharynx.<\/li>\n<li>From this opening, undigested food materials are passed outside the body. So, it is called <strong>cell anus.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4-pellicle\"><\/span><strong>4. Pellicle<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>It is the covering of paramecium.<\/li>\n<li>It is a thin, double-layered, tough, elastic, and colorless membrane.<\/li>\n<li>It holds the shape of the animal but elastic enough to permit contractions.<\/li>\n<li>It has a double membrane; the outer membrane is continuous with cilia and the inner membrane with the ectoplasm.<\/li>\n<li>It shows rectangular or hexagonal depression on its surface under the high magnification of the microscope.<\/li>\n<li>It protects the internal organelles from mechanical injuries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5-cilia\"><\/span><strong>5. Cilia<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>They are numerous, tiny, hair-like projections distributed throughout the body.<\/li>\n<li>They measure 10-12 \u00b5m in length and 0.27 \u00b5m in diameter.<\/li>\n<li>They occur in longitudinal rows all over the body, this condition is known as <strong>holotrichous<\/strong> in which body cilia are equal.<\/li>\n<li>Paramecium contains 10000-14000 cilia.<\/li>\n<li>There are two types of cilia present in paramecium. They are oral cilia and body cilia.<\/li>\n<li>Oral cilia are present in the vestibule and oral groove. They help in the collection of food materials.<\/li>\n<li>Body cilia are found on the body surface and help in locomotion. They are of moderate and fairly uniform in length but at the posterior end, cilia are quite longer called <strong>caudal<\/strong> <strong>tuft<\/strong> hence the species name <em>caudatum<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>Ultrastructure of cilia<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Same fundamental structures as of flagellum.<\/li>\n<li>At the base, the cilium has a diameter of about 0.2 microns or 2,000 A\u00ba which may be up to 10 microns above the cell surface.<\/li>\n<li>The cilia are bounded by a unit membrane of 90 A\u00ba thickness which resembles and remains continuous with the plasma membrane.<\/li>\n<li>&nbsp;The bounded space of cilium consists of a fluid, called<\/li>\n<li>In the matrix, there remain embedded 11 longitudinal fibrils or microtubules.<\/li>\n<li>Out of the 11 fibrils, two are located in the center, while the remaining 9 fibrils remain arranged peripherally around the central fibrils.<\/li>\n<li>Each of the 9 outer fibrils is 360A\u00bain diameter and composed of two sub-fibrils of 180 to 250A\u00ba diameter.<\/li>\n<li>These sub-fibrils are designated as <strong>sub-fibril<\/strong> A and <strong>sub-fibril B.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>The sub-fibril A is slightly larger than the sub-fibril B.<\/li>\n<li>The sub-fibril A gives out two thick projections or arms from its one side. The arms of the sub-fibril A of all the outer fibrils remain directed in a clockwise direction.<\/li>\n<li>Further, the sub-fibril A occurs more closely to the center of the cilium than the sub-fibril B. Both the sub-fibrils have a common wall of 50A\u00ba thickness.<\/li>\n<li>Each central fibril has a diameter of about 250A\u00baand is composed of a 60A\u00ba thick wall.<\/li>\n<li>Both the central fibrils remain separated by a space of 350A\u00ba and remain enveloped in a common sheath.<\/li>\n<li>The high-resolution electron microscopy has revealed that each of the peripheral and central fibrils of the cilia and flagella is composed of ten to twelve filaments of 40A\u00ba thickness.<\/li>\n<li>Each filament is beaded. Each <strong>bead <\/strong>remains arranged in the lattices of 40 by 50A\u00bain the plane of the wall of the tubule. These beads are considered as the <strong>basic subunit<\/strong> of the tubule structure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3886\" src=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Paramecium-caudatum-Structure.png\" alt=\"Paramecium caudatum Structure\" width=\"680\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Paramecium-caudatum-Structure.png 680w, https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Paramecium-caudatum-Structure-300x265.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Figure: <em>Paramecium caudatum<\/em> Structure. Image Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Paramecium_diagram.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Deuterostome<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"internal-structures\"><\/span><strong>Internal structures<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Internal structures of Paramecium consist of cytoplasm, trichocysts, food vacuoles contractile vacuoles, etc.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Cytoplasm<\/strong>: within pellicle, it is differentiated into two types i.e. ectoplasm and endoplasm.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"a-ectoplasm\"><\/span><strong>A. Ectoplasm<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>It is a permanent part of the body, strikingly delimited from the endoplasm.<\/li>\n<li>It is a narrow, peripheral thin clear transparent, and dense zone.<\/li>\n<li>It includes the structure of trichocysts, infraciliary systems.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1-trichocysts\"><\/span><strong>1. Trichocysts<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>These are small oval or spindle-shaped structures situated in the ectoplasm alternating with basal bodies and oriented at right angles to the body surface.<\/li>\n<li>These are numerous and tiny structures.<\/li>\n<li>These were first seen in paramecium by Elis which were measuring about 4\u00b5m in length.<\/li>\n<li>Each trichocyst consists of an elongated <strong>shaft<\/strong> and a terminal pointed <strong>tip<\/strong>, called <strong>spike<\/strong> or <strong>barb<\/strong> covered by a <strong>cap<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>The matrix of the shaft consists of a dense mass of fibrous protein called <strong>trichinin<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>These are opened outside through a minute pore on the pellicle surface.<\/li>\n<li>The trichocysts are discharged on mechanical, chemical, or electric stimuli. After they are discharged, new ones are generated from kinetosomes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Functions<\/strong> are uncertain but it is believed that it helps in the offense, defense, and adhesions. Also helps to form the endoskeleton or supports the body.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2-infraciliary-system\"><\/span><strong>2. Infraciliary system<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It is situated just below the pellicular alveoli. It consists of the <strong>kinetosome<\/strong> or <strong>basal<\/strong> <strong>body<\/strong> and <strong>kinetodesma<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>a. Basal bodies<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>They are tube-like structures produced at the base of each cilium.<\/li>\n<li>Their wall is formed by the fusion of 9 pairs of peripheral fibrils. The central fibers do not enter into it.<\/li>\n<li>They are self-duplicating units and progenitors of new cilia.<\/li>\n<li>Each basal body is either a centriole or its derivatives.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>b. Kinetodesma<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Associated closely with basal bodies of cilia and lying in the ectoplasm is a system of specialized striated fibrils, called <strong>kinetodesmal fibrils.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Kinetodesmos <\/strong>or <strong>a single fibril<\/strong> arise from the kinetosome or basal body of each cilium. And runs anteriorly somewhat tapering along the course.<\/li>\n<li>It joins its counterparts from the posterior kinetosomes, forming a bundle of overlapping longitudinal fibrils, called <strong>kinetodesma<\/strong> (pleural, <strong>Kinetodesmata)<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>In each <strong>Kinetodesmata<\/strong> the numbers of fibrils constantly remain 5.<\/li>\n<li>A longitudinal row of kinetosomes with their Kinetodesmata forms a longitudinal unit called a <strong>kinety<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>A Kinety is apparently characteristics of all ciliates.<\/li>\n<li>All the kineties or kinetia makes the infraciliary system of ciliate.<\/li>\n<li>The kinetia lie in the cortex below the pellicle, their number remains constant for each ciliate.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The function of the infraciliary system<\/strong>: control and coordinates the movements of the cilia, it brings about the formation of organelles in cell division. e.g. in <em>paramecium<\/em>, one set of kinety, is solely responsible for the formation of mouth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"b-endoplasm\"><\/span><strong>B. Endoplasm<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>It is a large, central, granular, voluminous, and semi-fluid zone of the cytoplasm.<\/li>\n<li>It contains many cytoplasmic granules as well as other inclusions and structures of specialized nature.<\/li>\n<li>The cytoplasmic inclusions are mitochondria, Golgi apparatuses, vacuole, crystals, granules, and chromidia, etc.<\/li>\n<li>Other structures include nuclei, numerous food vacuoles, and contractile vacuoles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"-1-nucleus\"><\/span><strong>&nbsp;1. <\/strong><strong>Nucleus<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Paramecium<\/em> is heterokaryotic as it possesses 2 types of nuclei.<\/li>\n<li>In <em>P<\/em>. <em>caudatum<\/em> there are two nuclei, one large macronucleus or <strong>mega<\/strong> <strong>nucleus<\/strong> and another small <strong>micronucleus<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>These nuclei are not only differing in shape and size but also function.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>a. Mega<\/strong> <strong>nucleus<\/strong> or <strong>macronucleus<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>It is a conspicuous, ellipsoidal, or roughly kidney-shaped body.<\/li>\n<li>Located in the middle dorsal part of the body opposite to cytopharynx.<\/li>\n<li>It is of compact types containing fine threads and tightly packed discrete chromatin granules of variable size and embedded in an achromatic matrix.<\/li>\n<li>It has many nucleoli and much more chromatin material (DNA).<\/li>\n<li>The nuclear membrane is absent in it.<\/li>\n<li>It divides asexually during reproduction. During transverse binary fission, it divides amitotically.<\/li>\n<li>It controls the <strong>vegetative functions <\/strong>(metabolic activities) of the animals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>b. Micronucleus<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>It is small, compact, and spherical or rounded in structure.<\/li>\n<li>It is lodged in a depression on the surface of the macronucleus.<\/li>\n<li>Fine chromatin granules and threads are uniformly distributed throughout the structures.<\/li>\n<li>It divides mitotically during transverse binary fission. During conjugation reproduction, it divides first meiotically then mitotically.<\/li>\n<li>It controls the process of sexual reproduction but fails to reproduce.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>NOTE: Paramecium also survives without micronucleus but fails to reproduce<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2-contractile-vacuoles\"><\/span><strong>2. Contractile vacuoles<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>There are two types of contractile vacuoles present in paramecium, occupying a somewhat fixed position in the endoplasm.<\/li>\n<li>It is located on the dorsal surface of the anterior and posterior end.<\/li>\n<li>Each contractile vacuole is surrounded by a circlet of 6 to 10 long, narrow, spindle-shaped <strong>radial<\/strong> <strong>canals<\/strong> extending far into the cytoplasm.<\/li>\n<li>They open to the outside through a permanent pore in the pellicle of the dorsal side of the body.<\/li>\n<li>The 2 contractile vacuoles do not lose their identity when water is expelled.<\/li>\n<li>The two contractile vacuoles work alternatively, but the posterior vacuole contracts more rapidly than the anterior contractile vacuole because it is near to cytopharynx and more water comes into it.<\/li>\n<li>The main <strong>function <\/strong>hydrostatic, helps in the removal excess of water from the protoplasm, the water is partly absorbed and partly taken in while feeding, helps in the removal of carbon dioxide and other metabolic waste products outside. And also maintains the osmoregulation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3-food-vacuoles\"><\/span><strong>3. Food vacuoles<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Numerous non- contractile vacuoles present in paramecium called food vacuoles<\/li>\n<li>Volkonsky (1934) proposed name <strong>gastrioles<\/strong> for these vacuoles, can be seen moving with streaming endoplasm (cyclosis).<\/li>\n<li>They differ in shape and size according to the quality of food particles but mostly they are rounded in shape.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"locomotion\"><\/span><strong>Locomotion<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Paramecium performs locomotion by 2 methods, i.e. metaboly or body contortions and by ciliary beats.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1-metaboly-or-body-contortions\"><\/span><strong>1. Metaboly or body contortions<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The body of Paramecium Caudatum possesses elasticity, it can squeeze itself through a passage narrower than its body, after which the body assumes its normal shape.<\/li>\n<li>Metaboly is a temporary change in the body, which is brought about in Paramecium by the protoplasm.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"-2-ciliary-beats\"><\/span><strong>&nbsp;2. <\/strong><strong>Ciliary beats<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>This is the main method of locomotion.<\/li>\n<li>During movements, a cilium oscillates like a pendulum. Each oscillation comprises a fast-<strong>effective stroke<\/strong> and a slow <strong>recovery stroke.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>The cilia can beat forwards or backward enabling the animal to swim anteriorly or posteriorly.<\/li>\n<li>During effective strokes or strong backward lash, the cilium becomes slightly curved and rigid and strikes the water like an oar, so that body propelled forward in the opposite direction of stroke.<\/li>\n<li>The cilia become limp and return slowly to the original vertical position, this is, called recovery stroke.<\/li>\n<li>All the cilia of the body do not move simultaneously and independently but progressively in a characteristics wave-like manner, called <strong>metachronal rhythm.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Cilia of the same transverse row beat together and those of the same longitudinal row beat one after the other from the anterior to the posterior end.<\/li>\n<li>Metachronal rhythm is due to the infra-ciliary system; this causes swimming forward by the animal.<\/li>\n<li>But when the body cilia are beating obliquely backward, then at the same time the longer cilia of the oral groove beat more vigorously which causes the anterior end to swerve to the left.<\/li>\n<li>The action of the cilia of the body and oral groove makes the animal rotate on its long axis.<\/li>\n<li>This rotation is always to the left (except in <em>P<\/em>. <em>calkinsi<\/em> which rotates in a right-hand spiral).<\/li>\n<li>This combination of forward motion, swerving, and rotation make the animal move forwards in a counterclockwise spiral path.<\/li>\n<li>This path has a straight axis, and the same body surface of the animal remains towards the axis of the spiral path.<\/li>\n<li>But in swimming backward, all species rotate to the right.<\/li>\n<li>By ciliary action, <em>Paramecium<\/em> moves with a speed of 1500 microns or even more per second.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"references-and-sources\"><\/span><strong>References and Sources<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\">Kotpal RL. 2017. Modern Text Book of Zoology- Invertebrates. 11th Edition. Rastogi Publications.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\">Jordan EL and Verma PS. 2018. Invertebrate Zoology. 14th Edition. S Chand Publishing.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\">20% &#8211; https:\/\/androbose.in\/paramecium-caudatum-habitat-structure-and-locomotion\/<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\">5% &#8211; https:\/\/microbiologynotes.com\/external-and-internal-features-of-paramecium-caudatum\/<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\">4% &#8211; https:\/\/www.biologydiscussion.com\/invertebrate-zoology\/protozoa\/paramecium-caudatum-habitat-structure-and-locomotion\/28315<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\">1% &#8211; https:\/\/www.shareyouressays.com\/knowledge\/305-words-short-essay-on-the-locomotion-of-paramecium\/92346<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\">1% &#8211; https:\/\/www.notesonzoology.com\/protozoa\/paramecium-protozoa\/morphology-of-paramecium-protozoa-microorganisms-zoology\/9166<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\">1% &#8211; https:\/\/www.101diagrams.com\/paramecium-diagrams-to-print\/<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\">&lt;1% &#8211; https:\/\/www.sparknotes.com\/physics\/rotationalmotion\/rotationaldynamics\/section3\/<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\">&lt;1% &#8211; https:\/\/www.liveabout.com\/what-is-the-sole-of-a-shoe-2987688<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\">&lt;1% &#8211; https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Ball-Wide-Mouth-Quart-Bands\/dp\/B00CNHCDR6<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\">&lt;1% &#8211; https:\/\/sciencing.com\/left-side-body-human-anatomy-7363170.html<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\">&lt;1% &#8211; https:\/\/quizlet.com\/120287413\/combo-with-ap-ch-3-and-27-others-flash-cards\/<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\">&lt;1% &#8211; https:\/\/quizlet.com\/11328551\/facehead-embryology-flash-cards\/<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\">&lt;1% &#8211; https:\/\/jcs.biologists.org\/content\/joces\/11\/3\/899.full.pdf<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\">&lt;1% &#8211; http:\/\/shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in\/bitstream\/10603\/78652\/9\/09_chapter%204.pdf<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Habit and Habitat Paramecium caudatum (Gr., paramekes=oblong+ L., caudata=tail) is a free-living organism which is one of the most common species of Paramecium having worldwide distribution. It is commonly found &#8230; <a title=\"Paramecium caudatum- Habitat, Culture, Structure, Locomotion\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/paramecium-caudatum-habitat-culture-structure-locomotion\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Paramecium caudatum- Habitat, Culture, Structure, Locomotion\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":3885,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1572],"tags":[4800,6169],"custom":{"td_video":"","featured_image":"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Paramecium-caudatum-Habitat-Culture-Structures-Locomotion.jpeg","author":{"name":"Laxmi Neupane","avatar":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/65de9275403e728cd61617e777c844ac?s=96&d=mm&r=g"},"categories":[{"term_id":1572,"name":"Basic Microbiology","slug":"basic-microbiology","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":1572,"taxonomy":"category","description":"<strong>Microbiology is the branch of science that deals with microscopic organisms and their interaction with other microscopic and macroscopic organisms.<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Microorganisms are tiny microscopic organisms that are too small to be seen with naked eyes and thus, can only be seen with a microscope. Microorganisms include microscopic organisms like bacteria, fungi, archaea, protozoa, and viruses.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Basic microscopy deals with a diverse group of studies that help in research related to the biochemistry, physiology, cell biology, ecology, evolution, and clinical aspects of microorganisms, including the host response to these agents.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Microbiology also deals with the structure, function, classification of such organisms, along with exploiting and controlling their activities.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The concept of microbiology began with the discovery of the microscope by Anton Von Leeuwenhoek.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>On the one hand, microbes are used for their unique features which allow the production of antibiotics, amino acids, hormones, and other therapeutic compounds, and also the production of food and food-related products.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Microorganisms are also involved in the decomposition of components such as lignocellulosic biomass for second-generation ethanol or biogas.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Similarly, certain genetic features and biochemical abilities of microorganisms make them dangerous for industry (food spoilage) as well as human health.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Microbiology, initially, was only associated with pathogenic microorganisms that result in different forms of diseases in different groups of living beings.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>With the establishment of microbiology as a discipline, the application of microorganisms in different areas has also increased.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The use of microorganisms in food and pharmaceuticals has given rise to the branching of microbiology into further disciplines and studies.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Thus, over the years, the branch has been classified into further groups like agriculture microbiology, food microbiology, pharmaceutical microbiology, systemic microbiology, etc.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The studies in microbiology have also increased due to the use of microorganisms in different researches as these are easy to manipulate and reproduce when compared to other living organisms.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Studies in microbiology are essential for the discovery of new and advanced methods for the discovery of emerging microorganisms and associated diseases and applications.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Microbiology also deals with techniques for the identification of these microorganisms, their classification, and the life cycle.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>All of this allows for a better understanding of microorganisms and their role in maintaining the ecosystem.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Microbiology and microorganisms can be applied for the formation of new genetically engineered microorganisms by a process like genetic recombination.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Besides, different microorganisms have found their application in the production of food, industrial products, and antibiotics.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","parent":0,"count":60,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":1572,"category_count":60,"category_description":"<strong>Microbiology is the branch of science that deals with microscopic organisms and their interaction with other microscopic and macroscopic organisms.<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Microorganisms are tiny microscopic organisms that are too small to be seen with naked eyes and thus, can only be seen with a microscope. Microorganisms include microscopic organisms like bacteria, fungi, archaea, protozoa, and viruses.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Basic microscopy deals with a diverse group of studies that help in research related to the biochemistry, physiology, cell biology, ecology, evolution, and clinical aspects of microorganisms, including the host response to these agents.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Microbiology also deals with the structure, function, classification of such organisms, along with exploiting and controlling their activities.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The concept of microbiology began with the discovery of the microscope by Anton Von Leeuwenhoek.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>On the one hand, microbes are used for their unique features which allow the production of antibiotics, amino acids, hormones, and other therapeutic compounds, and also the production of food and food-related products.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Microorganisms are also involved in the decomposition of components such as lignocellulosic biomass for second-generation ethanol or biogas.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Similarly, certain genetic features and biochemical abilities of microorganisms make them dangerous for industry (food spoilage) as well as human health.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Microbiology, initially, was only associated with pathogenic microorganisms that result in different forms of diseases in different groups of living beings.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>With the establishment of microbiology as a discipline, the application of microorganisms in different areas has also increased.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The use of microorganisms in food and pharmaceuticals has given rise to the branching of microbiology into further disciplines and studies.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Thus, over the years, the branch has been classified into further groups like agriculture microbiology, food microbiology, pharmaceutical microbiology, systemic microbiology, etc.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The studies in microbiology have also increased due to the use of microorganisms in different researches as these are easy to manipulate and reproduce when compared to other living organisms.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Studies in microbiology are essential for the discovery of new and advanced methods for the discovery of emerging microorganisms and associated diseases and applications.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Microbiology also deals with techniques for the identification of these microorganisms, their classification, and the life cycle.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>All of this allows for a better understanding of microorganisms and their role in maintaining the ecosystem.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Microbiology and microorganisms can be applied for the formation of new genetically engineered microorganisms by a process like genetic recombination.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Besides, different microorganisms have found their application in the production of food, industrial products, and antibiotics.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","cat_name":"Basic Microbiology","category_nicename":"basic-microbiology","category_parent":0}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3848"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3848"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3848\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3885"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3848"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3848"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3848"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}