Paramecium
are the most commonly observed protozoans and, depending
on the species, they are from 100-350 um long. They
are easily maintained and cultured and Paramecium caudatum (shown
at the left) are characterized by a large macronucleus and a single
compact micronucleus. The
most common types used in the classroom are the Paramecium caudatum
and the Paramecium multimicronucleatum (because of its size).
P. multimicronucleatum is the largest species and is slimmer and more
pointed than P. caudatum. It has one macronucleus and 3 or 4
micronuclei. Paramecium
bursaria is one of the smallest species and appears green due to the
presence of its symbiotic partner, Zoochlorella. The
green algae uses the waste from the paramecium as food and in turn
supplies oxygen for the paramecium to use. The
Paramecium is so well known that we have captured many images. Click
here to see them. |
