PARAMECIUM BURSARIA Meaning and
Definition
-
Paramecium bursaria is a unicellular organism belonging to the phylum Ciliophora. It is a species of ciliate found in freshwater environments, particularly in stagnant or slow-moving water bodies such as ponds and ditches. Paramecium bursaria is characterized by its distinctive shape, which is elongated and tapered at both ends, resembling a slipper or a cigar. It typically measures around 100 to 200 micrometers in length.
This species of paramecium is known for its symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic green algae called Chlorella. These algae live inside the cytoplasm of Paramecium bursaria and provide it with a source of nutrition by converting sunlight into organic compounds through photosynthesis. In return, the paramecium provides a protected environment and nutrients to the algae.
Paramecium bursaria is covered by thousands of tiny hair-like projections called cilia, which it uses for locomotion and feeding. These cilia create water currents to propel the organism forward and sweep in food particles towards the oral groove. Within the oral groove, the paramecium uses its mouth-like structure, called the cytostome, to engulf and ingest food particles such as bacteria, yeasts, and other small microorganisms.
Reproduction in Paramecium bursaria occurs through a process called binary fission, whereby the organism divides into two equal daughter cells. This species also possesses a well-developed contractile vacuole, which helps in maintaining water balance and removing excess water from the cell.
Paramecium bursaria is widely studied in laboratories and serves as a valuable model organism for research in biology, genetics, and ecology due to its relatively large size, ease of cultivation,
Etymology of PARAMECIUM BURSARIA
The word "paramecium" is derived from the Greek words "para" meaning "beside" or "alongside" and "mekos" meaning "length" or "barleycorn". This describes the elongated shape of the organism under consideration. The term "bursaria" is derived from the Latin word "bursa" meaning "pouch" or "purse", referring to the unique pocket-like structure that paramecium bursaria possesses.
