2. 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
4. Cilia
Pellicle
Macronucleus
Micronucleus
Contractile vacuole
Oral groove/ mouth pore
Gullet
Food vacuole
Trichocyst
Ectoplasm
Endoplasm
Anal pore
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 10. Protection or defense against
predators
5. Ciliophora (Ciliated Protozoa)
e.g Paramecium
• Thousands of cilia appear through the pellicle, a tough,
protective covering surrounding the cell membrane.
6. Feeding:
•Food enters the cell through the oral groove
(lined with cilia, to "sweep" the food into the
cell), where it moves to the gullet, which
packages the meal into a food vacuole.
•Enzymes released into the food vacuole break
down the food, and the nutrients are
absorbed into the cell.
•Wastes are removed from the cell through an
anal pore.
•Contractile vacuoles pump out excess water,
since paramecia live in freshwater
surroundings.
