Ciliates
Ciliates
Ciliates (/ˈsɪli.eɪts/; from Latin cilia, meaning 'eyelash') are a group of protozoans characterized by the presence of hair-like organelles called cilia. Cilia are identical in structure to eukaryotic flagella, but are in general shorter and present in much larger numbers, with a different undulating pattern than flagella. Ciliates occur in all environments where water can be found – oceans, freshwater, soils, and in the pelagic zone of the sea.
Etymology
The term "ciliate" is derived from Latin cilia, meaning 'eyelash'. This is a reference to the hair-like cilia that are a defining characteristic of this group of organisms.
Characteristics
Ciliates are characterized by the presence of cilia, hair-like structures which are used for locomotion and feeding. They also have two types of nuclei: a large macronucleus and one or more small micronuclei. The macronucleus controls the non-reproductive cell functions, while the micronuclei are involved in sexual reproduction.
Reproduction
Ciliates reproduce asexually, by binary fission. During binary fission, the cell divides transversely. The micronuclei undergo mitosis and the macronuclei elongate and divide. Some ciliates also have the ability to undergo sexual reproduction, which involves a process known as conjugation.
Classification
Ciliates are classified within the phylum Ciliophora, which is divided into two classes: Spirotrichea and Oligohymenophorea. These classes are further divided into orders, families, genera, and species.
Related Terms
- Protozoa: A group of single-celled eukaryotes, of which ciliates are a part.
- Cilia: Hair-like structures that are used by ciliates for locomotion and feeding.
- Macronucleus: The larger of the two types of nuclei found in ciliates, controlling non-reproductive cell functions.
- Micronucleus: The smaller of the two types of nuclei found in ciliates, involved in sexual reproduction.
- Binary fission: A form of asexual reproduction in which a cell divides into two equal parts.
- Conjugation: A form of sexual reproduction in ciliates.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ciliates
- Wikipedia's article - Ciliates
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski