IMG_0236.jpeg

# Single-celled Organisms in Hay Infusion This document describes single-celled organisms (also known as protozoa and algae) and how to observe them in a hay infusion. ## 1. Protozoa (Animal-like Single-celled Organisms) * **Movement and Nutrition:** Movement and nutrition occur via pseudopods,...

# Single-celled Organisms in Hay Infusion This document describes single-celled organisms (also known as protozoa and algae) and how to observe them in a hay infusion. ## 1. Protozoa (Animal-like Single-celled Organisms) * **Movement and Nutrition:** Movement and nutrition occur via pseudopods, cilia, or flagella. They are heterotrophs, meaning they consume bacteria or other small organisms. * **Examples:** * **Amoeba:** Move using pseudopods (false feet), engulf food (phagocytosis), and are irregular in shape. * **Paramecium (Ciliate):** Move via cilia, ingest food through a cell mouth (cytostome), and have visible nuclei and a contractile vacuole. * **Euglena (Euglenoid):** Exhibits a combination of autotrophic (photosynthesis) and heterotrophic nutrition; they have flagella for movement, chloroplasts, and a red eye spot (stigma). ## 2. Algae (Plant-like Single-celled Organisms) * **Nutrition:** Autotrophic, meaning they perform photosynthesis using chloroplasts. * **Examples:** * **Chlamydomonas:** Motile using two flagella and possesses a single, green cell with chloroplasts. * **Volvox:** Colonial, forming spherical colonies, each cell with flagella for collective movement. ## 3. Slime Molds and Fungus-like Single-celled Organisms * **Nutrition:** Saprophytic, meaning they feed on dead organic matter. * **Characteristics:** Some may have filamentous structures ## Observing Single-celled Organisms in Hay Infusion The procedure for observing single-celled organisms in hay infusion involves collecting water from a pond, a puddle, or an aquarium. A sample of hay is added to the water and the mixture is placed in a glass. The mixture needs to be maintained at a certain temperature, covered and observed after a few days for the organisms to grow.