Ciliate

Definition

Ciliates are a group of protozoans characterized by the presence of hair-like organelles called cilia. These cilia are used for locomotion and feeding.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ciliates possess two types of nuclei: a macronucleus and one or more micronuclei.
2. They reproduce primarily through binary fission but can also engage in conjugation for genetic exchange.
3. Ciliates can be free-living or parasitic, with some species causing diseases in humans and animals.
4. The pellicle is a flexible outer covering that gives ciliates their shape.
5. Examples of ciliates include Paramecium and Balantidium coli, the latter being a human intestinal parasite.

Related terms

Protozoa:

Single-celled eukaryotes that can be free-living or parasitic.

Binary Fission:

A form of asexual reproduction where a cell divides into two identical daughter cells.

Conjugation:

A process in which two organisms exchange genetic material through direct contact.