Difference between revisions of "Protozoa Structure and Function"

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[[Image:Flagella.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Flagella of ''E.coli'' - Nicolle Rager Fuller, National Science Foundation]]
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[[Image:Flagella.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Flagella of ''E.coli'' <br> Nicolle Rager Fuller, WikiMedia Commons]]
  
 
*Motile
 
*Motile

Revision as of 11:41, 22 July 2010

Flagella of E.coli
Nicolle Rager Fuller, WikiMedia Commons
  • Motile
  • Protozoa possess all the 'usual' organelles which are found in most animal cells
    • Nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, Golgi bodies and lysosomes
  • Protozoa also possess other cellular structures, organelles and sub-cellular structures which enable an independent existence to be led
  • Cilia
    • Fine, short hairs covering the protozoal surface each arising from a basal body
    • Hairs beat in unison to enable the protozoa to move
    • Wafts food towards the cytostome (mouth opening)
    • E.g. Balantidium
  • Flagellum
    • Contractile fibre arising from a basal body
    • Contracts in a whip like motion to propel protozoa
    • Attached to body of some protozoa by an undulating membrane
    • During movement, the organism's shape is maintained by microtubules in the pellicle
    • E.g. Trypanosoma
  • Pseudopodia
    • Extensions of the cellular cytoplasm
    • Cytoplasm flows into the pseudopodia allowing movement of the protozoa
    • Also acts in a phagocytic manner surrounding food particles and enclosing it in a vacuole
    • E.g. Entamoeba
  • Gliding
    • No obvious means of locomotion
    • E.g. Eimeria