How Does a Paramecium Digest Food?
Ingestion Paramecia are microscopic single-celled organisms that are widespread in many freshwater environments. In fact, a drop or two of pond water can yield hundreds of these creatures, and viewing them under a microscope is a common exercise in many science classes. Paramecia have thousands of hair-like projections, called cilia, surrounding their bodies. Cilia beat back and forth and are what propel a paramecium through the water. They are also responsible for drawing food particles (yeast, algal cells) toward the mouth, which is known as an oral groove. When the food particle comes near the oral groove the cilia continue to beat and draw the food closer until it is engulfed by the paramecium. This process is known as endocytosis (literally, “inside the cell”). It is a little like the process of swallowing. Digestion Enough food particles must build at the base of the oral groove to trigger engulfing. Once there is enough food built up, the food particles are drawn into the parame
