Light micrograph of the ciliate protozoan Paramecium sp.,showing several digestive vacuoles (brown) & two large contractile vacuoles (white,star-shaped objects). Paramecium are abundant in water and soil. They have a permanent mouth & feed mainly on bacteria. These are digested within temporary digestive vacuoles which float within the cell cytoplasm. The contractile vacuoles act as osmotic regulators,controlling the flow of water across the ciliate's membrane. They are surrounded by a halo of radiating channels; excess water collects in the channels,drains into the vacuole & is then discharged through a pore at the surface. Magnification unknown | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Patterson, Dr. David J. |
Taille de l’image : | 3614 px × 2480 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |