Protozoan oral cilia. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the cilia (orange) used by a ciliate protozoan to feed. These are fused cilia cal

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Protozoan oral cilia. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the cilia (orange) used by a ciliate protozoan to feed. These are fused cilia called membranelles. A ciliate protozoan is a single-celled micro-organism. Part of the cell is seen here (blue). The membranelles are used for propulsion and to waft food particles into the mouth. The food is moved along this groove in the surface and into the oral cavity (not seen). The food includes bacteria and plant material.

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Size: 3000px × 2326px
Photo credit: © STEVE GSCHMEISSNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: biological, biology, buccal, cilia, ciliate, coloured, false-coloured, feeding, invertebrate, invertebrates, membranelle, membranelles, microbiological, microbiology, mouth, mouthparts, oral, protozoan, sem