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== Ciliates Overview ==         
==Overview==         


[[File:Wiki2.jpg|right]]
[[File:wiki5.jpg|300px|left|thumb|Paramecium[5]]]


Ciliates are part of a group called protozoa, which means they are unicellular eukaryotic organisms.  
Ciliates are part of a group called [[Protozoa]], which means they are unicellular eukaryotic [[microorganisms]].  
There are around 3,500 species that have been described by scientists with the potential of thousands more to still be discovered. Ciliate species can have a wide range in not only size, but complexity. These species can measure anywhere from 10 µm to as large as 4 mm long and include some of the most morphologically advanced protozoans
There are around 3,500 species that have been described by scientists with the potential of thousands more to still be discovered. Ciliate species can have a wide range in not only size, but complexity. These species can measure anywhere from 10 µm to as large as 4 mm long and include some of the most morphologically advanced [[protozoans]].


Ciliates are easily recognized by their cilia, hair-like organelles which are structurally similar to flagella. These organelles can be found in most members of the group. Cilia are more numerous and generally shorter than flagella. and are variously used in swimming, eating, staying in place, and other general movement.  
Ciliates are easily recognized by their [[cilia]] or hair-like organelles which are structurally similar to [[flagella]]. These organelles can be found in most members of the group. Cilia are more numerous and generally shorter than flagella. and are variously used in swimming, eating, staying in place, and other general movement.  


Ciliates are protists and love water. These organisms can be found almost anywhere there is water. Besides soil, Ciliates can be found in lakes, ponds, rivers, and even oceans.
Ciliates are protists and love water. These [[organisms]] can be found almost anywhere there is water. Besides [[soil]], Ciliates can be found in lakes, ponds, rivers, and even oceans.


'''History'''


'''Some Examples of Ciliates:'''
The oldest ciliate fossils known are from the Ordovician Period. A separate description of fossil ciliates was published in 2007, of which came from the Doushantuo Formation in the Ediacaran Period. Ciliate fossils are extremely rare. Only a very few have been found preserved in amber or extremely fast phosphatization under unusual marine conditions.


''Paramecium'' : First ciliate to be used extensively for genetic studies, because conjugation could be controlled. Normally feeds on bacteria.
[[File:wiki7.png|300px|right|thumb|First Hairy Microbe (Tiny Fossils of First Known Ciliates)[3]]]


''Tetrahymena'' : Used in genetics because of methods for controlling conjugation so that it occurs synchronously in a large populations. Relatively easy to isolate the two kinds of nuclei.
'''Examples of Ciliates:'''  


''Stentor'' : Large ciliate used for grafting and micromanipulations. Its morphology of its outer layer is revealed by bands of blue pigment.
''[[Paramecium]]'' : First ciliate to be used extensively for genetic studies, because conjugation could be controlled. Normally feeds on bacteria.


''[[Tetrahymena]]'' : Used in genetics because of methods for controlling conjugation so that it occurs synchronously in a large populations. Relatively easy to isolate the two kinds of nuclei.


== History ==
''[[Stentor]]'' : Large ciliate used for grafting and micromanipulations. Its morphology of its outer layer is revealed by bands of blue pigment.
The oldest ciliate fossils known are from the Ordovician Period. A separate description of fossil ciliates was published in 2007, of which came from the Doushantuo Formation in the Ediacaran Period.  


[[File:wiki6.jpg|300px|left|thumb|Stentor[12]]]


== Cell Structure ==
== Cell Structure ==


'''Nuclei'''
'''Nuclei'''
   
   
Ciliates have a set of two different of nuclei, which is different from most protists. The first is called the diploid micronucleus, which is the smaller of the two. This nucleus carries the germline of the cell and is used to pass genetic material to offspring, meaning it is specialized for sexual exchange. As such, this nucleus does not contain nucleoli, meaning the micronucleus does not share its genes. The second, larger, nucleus is called the polyploid macronucleus, which takes care of general cell regulation. This macronucleus is formed by the micronucleus and displays the phenotype of the organism. The macronucleus is the one that allows vegetative growth because it is specialized with nucleoli to move RNA into ribosomes.  
Ciliates have a set of two different of nuclei, which is different from most protists. The first is called the diploid micronucleus, which is the smaller of the two. This nucleus carries the germline of the cell and is used to pass genetic material to offspring, meaning it is specialized for sexual exchange. As such, this nucleus does not contain nucleoli, meaning the micronucleus does not share its genes. The second, larger, nucleus is called the polyploid macronucleus, which takes care of general cell regulation. The macronucleus is formed by the micronucleus and displays the phenotype of the organism. The macronucleus is what allows vegetative growth because it is specialized with nucleoli to move RNA into ribosomes.  


[[File:Wiki1.png|center]]
[[File:Wiki1.png|300px|thumb|left|Ciliate Nucliei]]


'''Conjunction'''  
'''Conjunction'''  


This is what happens when the macronucleus needs to be regenerated due to cell age. The process involves two cells lining up and the micronuclei undergoing meiosis and then fuse to form new micronuclei and macronuclei.
This is the process Ciliates must go through when the macronucleus needs to be regenerated due to cell age. The process involves two cells lining up and the micronuclei undergoing meiosis then fuse to form new micronuclei and macronuclei. Conjunction results in genetic recombination and nuclear reorganization within the cell. In most cases, the two partners are similar in size and shape. In uncommon situations, the conjoining cells may become permanently fused. This results in the conjugant cell being absorbed by the other cell.
 
'''Cell Body'''
 
Ciliates also contain several vacuoles that enclose food and waste. Digestive vacuoles form in the gullet as food particles are ingested, and then are circulated through the cell. Any remaining waste in these vacuoles is discharged through a point in the cell membrane called the cytoproct. Ciliates also have contractile vacuoles, which collect water and expel it from the cell to maintain osmotic pressure.
Ciliates also contain several vacuoles that enclose food and waste. Digestive vacuoles form in the gullet as food particles are ingested, and then are circulated through the cell. Any remaining waste in these vacuoles is discharged through a point in the cell membrane called the cytoproct. Ciliates also have contractile vacuoles, which collect water and expel it from the cell to maintain osmotic pressure.


== Reproduction ==


== Reproduction ==
[[File:Wiki3.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Binary Reproduction[11]]]


Ciliates reproduce asexually. This process involves various cases of fusion, incliuding binary. During fission, the micronucleus undergoes mitosis and the macronucleus undergoes amitosis. Afterwards, the cell divides in two, each with a copy of the micronucleus and the macronucleus.  
Ciliates reproduce asexually. This process involves various cases of fission, including binary. During fission, the micronucleus undergoes mitosis and the macronucleus undergoes amitosis. Afterwards, the cell divides in two, each with a copy of the micronucleus and the macronucleus.  


[[File:Wiki4.jpg|thumb|90px|Asexual Reproduction]] [[File:Wiki3.jpg|thumb|Binary Reproduction]]
[[File:Wiki4.jpg|thumb|Asexual Reproduction[10]]]  


The other types of fission that can occur in ciliate groups include:
The other types of fission that can occur in ciliate groups include:


'''Budding''': the emergence of small offspring from the body of a mature parent
'''Budding''': the emergence of small offspring from the body of a mature parent
'''Strobilation''': multiple divisions along the cell body, producing a chain of new organisms
 
'''Strobilation''': multiple divisions along the cell body, producing chain of new organisms
 
'''Palintomy''': multiple fissions, usually within a cyst
'''Palintomy''': multiple fissions, usually within a cyst


== Feeding ==


Ciliates are mostly heterotrophic, meaning they feed on smaller organisms. Food such as bacteria and algae, are swept into the”mouth” by the organism’s cilia. The food is moved by the cilia through the mouth pore into the gullet, which forms food vacuoles.
Feeding techniques vary from species to species. Some ciliates are mouthless and feed by osmotrophy, while others are predatory and feed on other protozoa. There are also ciliates that parasitize [[animals]].




== References ==




[1] Beaver, John, and Thomas Crisman. “Microbial [[Ecology]].” Microbial Ecology, 2nd ed., vol. 17, Springer-Verlag, 1989, pp. 111–136. SpringerLink.


== Feeding ==
[2] Berthold, A., and M. Palzenberger. “Biology and Fertility of Soils.” Biology and Fertility of Soils, 4th ed., vol. 19, Springer-Verlag, 1995, pp. 348–356. SpringerLink.
 
Ciliates are mostly heterotrophic, meaning they feed on smaller organisms. Food such as bacteria and algae, are swept into the”mouth” by the organism’s cilia. The food is moved by the cilia through the mouth pore into the gullet, which forms food vacuoles.
Feeding techniques vary from species to species. Some ciliates are mouthless and feed by osmotrophy, while others are predatory and feed on other protozoa. There are also ciliates that parasitize animals.


[3] Chu, Jennifer. “The First Hairy Microbes.” MIT News, 16 Nov. 2011, news.mit.edu/2011/hairy-microbes-1116.


== References ==
[4] “Ciliates.” Ciliates, California Institute of Technology.


[5] Collins, Kyle. “Biology IV.” Biology IV ​Evolution & Zoology, kylecollinsbiology.weebly.com/biology-iv.html.


[1] Beaver, John, and Thomas Crisman. “Microbial Ecology.” Microbial Ecology, 2nd ed., vol. 17, Springer-Verlag, 1989, pp. 111–136. SpringerLink.
[6] Ekelund, Flemming, and Reginn Ronn. “Notes on Protozoa in Agricultural Soil with Emphasis on Heterotrophic [[Flagellates]] and [[Naked Amoebae]] and Their Ecology.” FEMS Microbiology Reviews, vol. 15, no. 4, Dec. 1994, pp. 321–353. Wiley Online Library.


[2] Berthold, A., and M. Palzenberger. “Biology and Fertility of Soils.” Biology and Fertility of Soils, 4th ed., vol. 19, Springer-Verlag, 1995, pp. 348–356. SpringerLink.
[7] Foissner, Wilhelm & Berger, Helmut. (1996). A user-friendly guide to the ciliates (Protozoa, Ciliophora) commonly used by hydrobiologists as bioindicators in rivers, lakes, and waste waters, with notes on their ecology. Freshwater Biology. 35.


[3] “Ciliates.” Ciliates, California Institute of Technology.
[8] Foissner, Wilhelm & O'Donoghue, PJ. (1989). Morphology and infraciliature of some freshwater ciliates (Protozoa : Ciliophora) from Western and South Australia. Invertebrate Systematics - INVERTEBR SYST. 3. 10.


[4] Ekelund, Flemming, and Reginn Ronn. “Notes on Protozoa in Agricultural Soil with Emphasis on Heterotrophic Flagellates and Naked Amoebae and Their Ecology.” FEMS Microbiology Reviews, vol. 15, no. 4, Dec. 1994, pp. 321–353. Wiley Online Library.
[9] Li, C.-W.; et al. (2007). "Ciliated protozoans from the Precambrian Doushantuo Formation, Wengan, South China". Geological Society, London, Special Publications. 286: 151–156.


[5] Foissner, Wilhelm & Berger, Helmut. (1996). A user-friendly guide to the ciliates (Protozoa, Ciliophora) commonly used by hydrobiologists as bioindicators in rivers, lakes, and waste waters, with notes on their ecology. Freshwater Biology. 35.
[10] Mackean, D G. “Biological Drawings: Protista. Paramecium.” Biology Teaching and Learning Resources, www.biology-resources.com/drawing-paramecium-reproduction.html.


[6] Foissner, Wilhelm & O'Donoghue, PJ. (1989). Morphology and infraciliature of some freshwater ciliates (Protozoa : Ciliophora) from Western and South Australia. Invertebrate Systematics - INVERTEBR SYST. 3. 10.
[11] Spiller, Marco. “Paramecium Reproduction.” BiologyWise, BiologyWise, biologywise.com/paramecium-reproduction.


[7] Li, C.-W.; et al. (2007). "Ciliated protozoans from the Precambrian Doushantuo Formation, Wengan, South China". Geological Society, London, Special Publications. 286: 151–156.
[12] Slabodnick, Mark M., and Wallace F. Marshall. “Stentor Coeruleus.” Advances in Pediatrics., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8 Sept. 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5036449/.


[8] Waggoner, Ben. “Ciliata: Morphology.” More on Morphology of the Ciliata, University of California Museum of Paleontology, 2 Dec. 1995.
[13] Waggoner, Ben. “Ciliata: Morphology.” More on Morphology of the Ciliata, University of California Museum of Paleontology, 2 Dec. 1995.

Latest revision as of 12:03, 29 April 2021

Overview

Paramecium[5]

Ciliates are part of a group called Protozoa, which means they are unicellular eukaryotic microorganisms. There are around 3,500 species that have been described by scientists with the potential of thousands more to still be discovered. Ciliate species can have a wide range in not only size, but complexity. These species can measure anywhere from 10 µm to as large as 4 mm long and include some of the most morphologically advanced protozoans.

Ciliates are easily recognized by their cilia or hair-like organelles which are structurally similar to flagella. These organelles can be found in most members of the group. Cilia are more numerous and generally shorter than flagella. and are variously used in swimming, eating, staying in place, and other general movement.

Ciliates are protists and love water. These organisms can be found almost anywhere there is water. Besides soil, Ciliates can be found in lakes, ponds, rivers, and even oceans.

History

The oldest ciliate fossils known are from the Ordovician Period. A separate description of fossil ciliates was published in 2007, of which came from the Doushantuo Formation in the Ediacaran Period. Ciliate fossils are extremely rare. Only a very few have been found preserved in amber or extremely fast phosphatization under unusual marine conditions.

First Hairy Microbe (Tiny Fossils of First Known Ciliates)[3]

Examples of Ciliates:

Paramecium : First ciliate to be used extensively for genetic studies, because conjugation could be controlled. Normally feeds on bacteria.

Tetrahymena : Used in genetics because of methods for controlling conjugation so that it occurs synchronously in a large populations. Relatively easy to isolate the two kinds of nuclei.

Stentor : Large ciliate used for grafting and micromanipulations. Its morphology of its outer layer is revealed by bands of blue pigment.

Stentor[12]

Cell Structure

Nuclei

Ciliates have a set of two different of nuclei, which is different from most protists. The first is called the diploid micronucleus, which is the smaller of the two. This nucleus carries the germline of the cell and is used to pass genetic material to offspring, meaning it is specialized for sexual exchange. As such, this nucleus does not contain nucleoli, meaning the micronucleus does not share its genes. The second, larger, nucleus is called the polyploid macronucleus, which takes care of general cell regulation. The macronucleus is formed by the micronucleus and displays the phenotype of the organism. The macronucleus is what allows vegetative growth because it is specialized with nucleoli to move RNA into ribosomes.

Ciliate Nucliei

Conjunction

This is the process Ciliates must go through when the macronucleus needs to be regenerated due to cell age. The process involves two cells lining up and the micronuclei undergoing meiosis then fuse to form new micronuclei and macronuclei. Conjunction results in genetic recombination and nuclear reorganization within the cell. In most cases, the two partners are similar in size and shape. In uncommon situations, the conjoining cells may become permanently fused. This results in the conjugant cell being absorbed by the other cell.

Cell Body

Ciliates also contain several vacuoles that enclose food and waste. Digestive vacuoles form in the gullet as food particles are ingested, and then are circulated through the cell. Any remaining waste in these vacuoles is discharged through a point in the cell membrane called the cytoproct. Ciliates also have contractile vacuoles, which collect water and expel it from the cell to maintain osmotic pressure.

Reproduction

Binary Reproduction[11]

Ciliates reproduce asexually. This process involves various cases of fission, including binary. During fission, the micronucleus undergoes mitosis and the macronucleus undergoes amitosis. Afterwards, the cell divides in two, each with a copy of the micronucleus and the macronucleus.

Asexual Reproduction[10]

The other types of fission that can occur in ciliate groups include:

Budding: the emergence of small offspring from the body of a mature parent

Strobilation: multiple divisions along the cell body, producing chain of new organisms

Palintomy: multiple fissions, usually within a cyst

Feeding

Ciliates are mostly heterotrophic, meaning they feed on smaller organisms. Food such as bacteria and algae, are swept into the”mouth” by the organism’s cilia. The food is moved by the cilia through the mouth pore into the gullet, which forms food vacuoles. Feeding techniques vary from species to species. Some ciliates are mouthless and feed by osmotrophy, while others are predatory and feed on other protozoa. There are also ciliates that parasitize animals.


References

[1] Beaver, John, and Thomas Crisman. “Microbial Ecology.” Microbial Ecology, 2nd ed., vol. 17, Springer-Verlag, 1989, pp. 111–136. SpringerLink.

[2] Berthold, A., and M. Palzenberger. “Biology and Fertility of Soils.” Biology and Fertility of Soils, 4th ed., vol. 19, Springer-Verlag, 1995, pp. 348–356. SpringerLink.

[3] Chu, Jennifer. “The First Hairy Microbes.” MIT News, 16 Nov. 2011, news.mit.edu/2011/hairy-microbes-1116.

[4] “Ciliates.” Ciliates, California Institute of Technology.

[5] Collins, Kyle. “Biology IV.” Biology IV ​Evolution & Zoology, kylecollinsbiology.weebly.com/biology-iv.html.

[6] Ekelund, Flemming, and Reginn Ronn. “Notes on Protozoa in Agricultural Soil with Emphasis on Heterotrophic Flagellates and Naked Amoebae and Their Ecology.” FEMS Microbiology Reviews, vol. 15, no. 4, Dec. 1994, pp. 321–353. Wiley Online Library.

[7] Foissner, Wilhelm & Berger, Helmut. (1996). A user-friendly guide to the ciliates (Protozoa, Ciliophora) commonly used by hydrobiologists as bioindicators in rivers, lakes, and waste waters, with notes on their ecology. Freshwater Biology. 35.

[8] Foissner, Wilhelm & O'Donoghue, PJ. (1989). Morphology and infraciliature of some freshwater ciliates (Protozoa : Ciliophora) from Western and South Australia. Invertebrate Systematics - INVERTEBR SYST. 3. 10.

[9] Li, C.-W.; et al. (2007). "Ciliated protozoans from the Precambrian Doushantuo Formation, Wengan, South China". Geological Society, London, Special Publications. 286: 151–156.

[10] Mackean, D G. “Biological Drawings: Protista. Paramecium.” Biology Teaching and Learning Resources, www.biology-resources.com/drawing-paramecium-reproduction.html.

[11] Spiller, Marco. “Paramecium Reproduction.” BiologyWise, BiologyWise, biologywise.com/paramecium-reproduction.

[12] Slabodnick, Mark M., and Wallace F. Marshall. “Stentor Coeruleus.” Advances in Pediatrics., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8 Sept. 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5036449/.

[13] Waggoner, Ben. “Ciliata: Morphology.” More on Morphology of the Ciliata, University of California Museum of Paleontology, 2 Dec. 1995.