Physiology
The cell approximates a prolate spheroid, rounded at the front and pointed at the back. The pellicle is a stiff but elastic membrane that gives the Paramecium its definite shape. Covering the outer edge are hairlike structures, called cilia. On the side, beginning near the front end continuing down half way, is the oral groove, which collects food until it is swept into the cell mouth. There is an opening near the back end called the anal pore. The contractile vacuole and its radiating canals, referred to previously for osmoregulation of the organism, are also found on the outside of a Paramecium. Paramecium is commonly confused with Blepharisma.
The Paramecium contains cytoplasm, trichocysts, the gullet, food vacuoles, and two nuclae (the macronucleus and the micronucleus). It also has a contractile vacuole that removes water so that the cell does not burst due to the excessive water that can freely enter the membrane due to its semi-permeable nature.
Read more about this topic: Paramecium
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