The word "collared flagellate" is a mouthful, but it's not as complicated to spell as it may seem. The first part, "collared," is phonetically spelled /ˈkɒləd/. This means that the stress is on the first syllable, and it is pronounced with a short "o" sound. The second part, "flagellate," is phonetically spelled /fləˈdʒɛleɪt/. This means that the stress is on the second syllable, and it is pronounced with a soft "g" sound. Altogether, "collared flagellate" is pronounced /ˈkɒləd fləˈdʒɛleɪt/.
A collared flagellate refers to a microscopic organism belonging to the phylum Choanoflagellata, which is characterized by the presence of a collar-like structure surrounding a single whip-like appendage known as a flagellum. These organisms are usually found in aquatic environments, both freshwater and marine, and can be either free-living or attached to surfaces.
The collared flagellates are single-celled protists, typically ranging in size from 2 to 50 microns, and are characterized by the presence of a rigid collar made up of microvilli surrounding the base of the flagellum. This collar helps in capturing food particles, primarily bacteria and other small organisms, which the collared flagellates feed upon.
Under the microscope, collared flagellates can be identified by their distinct morphology. They have an elongated shape with a whitish or translucent body and a single flagellum projecting from one end, while the collar forms a ring around its base. The flagellum is used for both locomotion and feeding, as it propels the organism through the water and creates water currents that bring in food particles towards the collar.
Collared flagellates play an essential role in aquatic ecosystems as primary consumers and decomposers, contributing to the recycling of organic material and influencing the nutrient dynamics in their habitats. They also serve as a key component in the trophic chain, serving as a food source for larger organisms like filter-feeding invertebrates and small fish.
One of the Choanoflagellata.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "collared flagellate" does not have a direct etymology as it is a combination of two distinct words: "collared" and "flagellate".
1. "Collared" refers to something having a collar or a neck-like structure. It comes from the Old French word "coler", meaning collar, which ultimately stems from the Latin word "collare", meaning necklace or collar.
2. "Flagellate" refers to an organism that possesses whip-like appendages called flagella used for movement. The term "flagellate" is derived from the Latin word "flagellare", meaning to whip or flog.
Thus, the etymology of "collared flagellate" can be understood by examining the origins of each individual word. However, the specific combination of these words does not have a separate etymology as it is a descriptive term used in biology.