Light micrograph of an unidentified ciliate protozoan, showing its large macronucleus (yellow). Ciliates possess two different types of nucleus; a sma

---

Light micrograph of an unidentified ciliate protozoan, showing its large macronucleus (yellow). Ciliates possess two different types of nucleus; a small micronucleus (not visible here) & a larger macronucleus. The micronucleus contains the diploid set of chromosomes and is responsible for sexual reproduction, undergoing meiosis to give rise to gametic nuclei. The macronucleus is usually polyploid, containing several copies of each of the chromosomes. It deals with the metabolic and somatic functions of the cell and disintegrates during the early stages of sexual reproduction. Magnification: x400 at 35mm size.

---

Size: 5095px × 3429px
Photo credit: © CLAUDE NURIDSANY & MARIE PERENNOU/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, ciliate, invertebrate, invertebrates, macronucleus, nature, protozoa, protozoan, wildlife, zoology