WHEEL ANIMALCULE Meaning and
Definition
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A wheel animalcule, also known as a rotifer, is a microscopic multicellular aquatic organism that belongs to the phylum Rotifera. The term "wheel animalcule" stems from the unique wheel-like structure found in its anterior region, which contains cilia used for locomotion and the capture of food. They typically measure between 0.1 to 1.5 millimeters in length, making them visible to the naked eye.
Wheel animalcules inhabit a wide range of freshwater environments, including lakes, ponds, and rivers, as well as some marine habitats. Their adaptability is remarkable, enabling them to survive in both stagnant and temporary water bodies. They have a remarkable reproductive system that involves parthenogenesis - a form of asexual reproduction - allowing them to rapidly increase their population size under favorable conditions.
The diet of wheel animalcules consists mainly of unicellular algae, bacteria, and detritus. They use their specialized ciliary organ, the corona, to create water currents that sweep food particles towards their mouth. Despite their small size, they play a significant role in aquatic ecosystems as important grazers and recyclers of nutrients.
The wheel animalcule's distinct anatomy, including its transparent body, has made it a valuable model organism for scientific research. It has contributed valuable insights into areas such as aging, environmental toxicity, and evolutionary biology. Due to its fascinating characteristics and widespread distribution, the study of wheel animalcules continues to provide invaluable knowledge about the diversity and functioning of freshwater ecosystems.
Common Misspellings for WHEEL ANIMALCULE
- qheel animalcule
- aheel animalcule
- sheel animalcule
- eheel animalcule
- 3heel animalcule
- 2heel animalcule
- wgeel animalcule
- wbeel animalcule
- wneel animalcule
- wjeel animalcule
- wueel animalcule
- wyeel animalcule
- whwel animalcule
- whsel animalcule
- whdel animalcule
- whrel animalcule
- wh4el animalcule
- wh3el animalcule
- whewl animalcule
- whesl animalcule
Etymology of WHEEL ANIMALCULE
The word "wheel animalcule" is derived from the Latin term "rotifer" which means "wheel-bearer". The term was coined by the English naturalist John Harris in 1696, combining the Latin word "rota" meaning "wheel", and "ferre" meaning "to bear" or "to carry". This name was given due to the microscopic animal's characteristic wheel-like organ called the corona, which they use for feeding and locomotion.
