vorticella
Stalked ciliate organism
Vorticella is a genus of microscopic single-celled organisms shaped like tiny bells on stalks.
They attach to underwater surfaces and use hair-like cilia to create currents that sweep food particles toward them.
When disturbed, the stalk contracts into a tight coil, snapping the bell downward.
Common in freshwater ponds and aquariums, they're often studied in biology classes as examples of ciliate protozoa.
Hair-covered single-celled organism
- protozoanUnicellular eukaryotic life form
- eukaryoteOrganism with nucleated cells
- unicellularOne cell only
- microorganismMicroscopic living entity
sessile · stalked · contractile · bell-shaped · colonial · solitary · coiling · feeding
Non-saline aquatic environment
- pondSmall still body
- aquariumTank for keeping fish
- wastewaterContaminated drainage from buildings
- biofilmAdhesive layer of microorganisms
detritus · substrate · benthic · stagnant · algae · bacteria · wetland · bioindicator
Hairlike cellular projections
- stalkPlant's vertical support
- cytoplasmGel surrounding the nucleus
- nucleusCentral controlling part
- vacuoleCell's storage compartment
pellicle · macronucleus · micronucleus · endoplasm · ectoplasm
Cellular ingestion of particles
- conjugationVerb form variation system
- osmoregulationMaintaining internal solute balance
- locomotionAbility to travel independently
- contractionReduction in size
feeding · attachment · swarmer · budding · reproduction · metabolism
Instrument for viewing minute objects
- slideSmooth continuous movement
- specimenIndividual for examination
- magnificationDegree of visual enlargement
- stainingApplying dye or pigment
observation · microorganism · microfauna · culture · sample
ciliate
Hair-covered single-celled organism
- protozoanUnicellular eukaryotic life form
- eukaryoteOrganism with nucleated cells
- unicellularOne cell only
microorganism · sessile · stalked · contractile · bell-shaped · colonial · solitary · coiling · feeding · filter-feeder
freshwater
Non-saline aquatic environment
- pondSmall still body
- aquariumTank for keeping fish
- wastewaterContaminated drainage from buildings
biofilm · detritus · substrate · benthic · stagnant · algae · bacteria · wetland · bioindicator
cilia
Hairlike cellular projections
vacuole · pellicle · macronucleus · micronucleus · endoplasm · ectoplasm
phagocytosis
Cellular ingestion of particles
- conjugationVerb form variation system
- osmoregulationMaintaining internal solute balance
- locomotionAbility to travel independently
contraction · feeding · attachment · swarmer · budding · reproduction · metabolism
microscope
Instrument for viewing minute objects
- slideSmooth continuous movement
- specimenIndividual for examination
- magnificationDegree of visual enlargement
staining · observation · microorganism · microfauna · culture · sample
- microorganismsamoeba, paramecium, amoebae, euglena, amoebas
- ciliatesparamecium
- protistsamoeba, amoebas, ciliate, dinoflagellate, Paramecium
- protozoaamoeba, amoebae, amoebas, paramecium, euglena
- tiny invertebratesmites, tardigrades, nematodes, water bears, springtails
- micrograzersamoebas, flagellates, paramecium, protozoa, protists