20 Questions
Which organelle is responsible for movement in ciliates?
Cilia
Which type of cilia is responsible for feeding in ciliates?
Motile cilia
What is the function of the cytostome in free-swimming ciliates?
Drawing prey towards the cell
How do mixotrophic ciliates acquire photoautotrophic ability?
Through organellar mixotrophy
What is the main function of the cytoproct in ciliates?
Excretion
What are the two types of nucleus found in ciliates?
Macronucleus and micronuclei
In which eukaryote supergroup do ciliates belong?
SAR
Which process involves the swapping of micronuclei and allows for genetic variation in Strombidium and Euplotes ciliates?
Conjugation
Which group of ciliates contains methanogenic endosymbionts and can be visualized under UV light?
Sulphur ciliates
Which supergroup do flagellates belong to in all four eukaryote supergroups?
Excavata
Which type of flagellates are also known as 'Zooflagellates' and mainly consume pre-formed organic carbon?
Heterotrophic Flagellates
Which group of flagellates possess a collar of tentacles and are more closely related to animals than other protists?
Choanoflagellates
Which type of flagellates have their own plastids and can perform photosynthesis?
Mixotrophic Flagellates
Which flagellates have an eyespot/stigma organelle that acts as a shading device for photoreception?
Euglena
Which mixotrophic flagellate prefers to feed on prey and has few plastids?
Ochromonas
True or false: Ciliate reproduction involves both asexual and sexual reproduction?
True
True or false: Sulphur ciliates produce methane via methanogenic bacteria?
True
True or false: Flagellates are present in all four eukaryote supergroups?
True
True or false: Heterotrophic flagellates are also known as 'Zooflagellates' and mainly consume pre-formed organic carbon?
True
True or false: Mixotrophic flagellates can perform both photosynthesis and ingest prey for feeding?
True
Study Notes
Ciliates
- Covered in cilia, most developed protozoan
- Has a cytostome (mouth) and cytoproct (anus)
- Two types of nucleus: macronucleus and micronuclei
- Found in four Eukaryote Supergroups: Excavata, SAR, Archaeplastida, and Unikonta
Structure and Function
- Cilia are microtubule-based hair-like organelles used for movement
- Contractile vacuole and food vacuole present
- Membranelles are stiffer cilia found in cytostome
- Cilia have a 9+2 structure with dynein motor protein in motile cilia
- Non-motile cilia have a 9+0 structure without dynein motor protein
Feeding Mechanisms
- Ciliates use cilia to direct prey towards cytostome
- Membranelles act like a sieve to filter in correct sized prey
- Some ciliates have cirri, which are fused cilia
- Vorticella uses cilia to create a vortex, drawing prey towards the cell
- Suctorian ciliates have microtubule tentacles with cytostome at the end, using extrusomes to dissolve prey contents
Mixotrophic Ciliates
- Acquire photoautotrophic ability through organellar or cellular mixotrophy
- Examples include Strombidium and Euplotes
Reproduction
- Asexual reproduction through transverse binary fission involving mitosis
- Sexual reproduction through conjugation, involving meiosis and mitosis
- Micronuclei are swapped, allowing for genetic variation
Anaerobic Ciliates
- Also known as sulphur ciliates
- Use pyruvate, hydrogenosomes, and methanogenic bacteria to produce H2, acetate, and CO2
Flagellates
- Possess flagellum/flagella with a 9+2 structure
- Used for movement and catching prey
- Found in all four Eukaryote Supergroups
- Examples include heterotrophic, photoautotrophic, and mixotrophic flagellates
Heterotrophic Flagellates
- Also known as zooflagellates
- Most are aerobic, consuming pre-formed organic carbon
- Use flagella for movement and catching prey
- Examples of feeding mechanisms include raptorial feeding and filter feeding
Phototrophic Flagellates
- Also known as phytoflagellates
- Own plastids and photosynthesise
- Examples include Euglena, with an eyespot/stigma for photoreception
Mixotrophic Flagellates
- Can photosynthesise and eat prey
- Examples include Ochromonas, Dinobryon, and Synura
Practical Application
- Studying feeding in mixotrophic Dinobryon divergens
- Effects of light regime and temperature on feeding and photosynthesis
Test your knowledge about ciliates, the most developed protozoans with cilia, by taking this quiz. Learn about their unique features such as the cytostome (mouth) and cytoproct (anus), as well as their two types of nuclei - macronucleus and micronuclei. Explore the four eukaryote supergroups they belong to - Excavata, SAR, Archaeplastida, and Unikonta. Challenge yourself to identify the different parts of
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