Pronunciation: [sˌɪlɪˈɑːtə] (IPA) 
The word "ciliata" is spelled with the letters "c," "i," "l," "i," "a," "t," and "a." It is pronounced [sɪˈlaɪətə] in IPA, with the stress on the second syllable. The word refers to a group of protozoans that move by means of tiny hair-like structures called cilia. While the spelling of "ciliata" may seem unusual or complex, it follows the standard rules of English spelling for words borrowed from Latin or Greek roots.
Ciliata, also known as ciliates, refers to a group of single-celled organisms that belong to the phylum Ciliophora. They are characterized by the presence of numerous hair-like, short, and thread-like appendages called cilia that cover their body surface and enable them to move and capture food.
Ciliates can be found in various aquatic environments, such as marine habitats, freshwater bodies, and even moist soil. They exhibit a high degree of morphological diversity, with many different body shapes and sizes, ranging from microscopic to macroscopic dimensions.
The cilia of ciliates serve multiple functions. Primarily, they are responsible for locomotion by beating in coordinated patterns, allowing the organism to move in water or its surrounding environment. Additionally, cilia aid in feeding, as they help create water currents that bring food particles towards the mouth of the ciliate.
Ciliates are voracious feeders and can consume a wide range of organic matter, such as bacteria, algae, other small protists, and even detritus. They possess a complex internal structure, with two types of nuclei: a larger macronucleus that controls everyday functions and a smaller micronucleus involved in genetic exchange during reproduction.
Reproduction in ciliates can occur through both sexual and asexual means. Asexual reproduction commonly takes place via binary fission, where the organism divides into two identical offspring. Sexual reproduction, on the other hand, involves conjugation, a process where two ciliates exchange genetic material through temporary fusion to create genetic variation.
Ciliates play crucial roles in ecosystems as decomposers, grazers, and prey for larger organisms. They are pivotal contributors to nutrient recycling and serve as indicators of environmental health.
A class of Infusoria in which cilia are present in all stages of existence.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "ciliata" originates from the Latin word "cilium", which means "eyelash". In biological terminology, "ciliata" refers to a class of microscopic organisms called ciliates, which are characterized by tiny hair-like structures called cilia that cover their bodies. The term was first coined by Otto Friedrich Müller, a Danish naturalist, in the late 18th century to describe this group of organisms. The use of "ciliata" to classify ciliated organisms has since become widely adopted in the field of biology.
