Paramecium protozoa. Light micrograph of Paramecium caudatum, a ciliate protozoan, showing two large contractile cavities (vacuoles) with radiating ch

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Paramecium protozoa. Light micrograph of Paramecium caudatum, a ciliate protozoan, showing two large contractile cavities (vacuoles) with radiating channels and other smaller vacuoles. Contractile vacuoles act as osmotic regulators controlling the flow of water across the membrane of the protozoan. Excess water collects in the vacuole and is discharged through a pore at the surface. P. caudatum moves through the water by beating tiny, hair-like structures (cilia) along the length of its body. Magnification: x133 at 35mm size.

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Size: 3611px × 2480px
Photo credit: © ERIC GRAVE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, caudatum, ciliate, invertebrate, invertebrates, light, micrograph, nature, paramecium, protozoa, protozoan, sp., type, wildlife, zoology