Biology
The Feeding Behavior of the Protist known as Tetrahymena vorax
Abstract
The purpose of this experiment was to study the rate of phagocytosis of the specific protist known as Tetrahymena vorax. This certain kind of protist feeds at a normal rate when conditions are normal. We began the experiment of understanding how Tetrahymena feeds at normal temperatures. Doing so, we allowed the Tetrahymena to feed at specific time limits and then killed the protist with gluderaldheyde to detect how much the protist gained. We then counted how many food vacuoles were filled with India ink that was included in the environment of the Tetrahymena while the time was ticking. We then constructed a similar experiment with different conditions to compare if the rate of phagocytosis was affected by the change in conditions. Comparing the two environments, we found that indeed the rate of Phagocytosis was affected by a change in environmental conditions. Introduction Tetrahymeha Vorax consist of freshwater protists that usually are oval shaped if not almost egg shaped. This organism belongs to a specific group known as the ciliates (Cambell). They use specialized feeding structures such as the Buccal Cavity to ingest their food into their oral cavity (Shefferly, 2010). The Tetrahymena feed at different rates over time and can change with environmental variables. The food that is ingested into the Tetrahymena is contained in the food vacuoles inside of the organism. After the Tetrahymena has completed it’s feeding and the food vacuoles are filled, the digestion process then occurs. The digestion process has a certain type of organelle to invite enzymes to break down the food particles known as lysosomes. This then leads into the excretion of waste for the Tetrahymena. Any food particles that were left undigested are then removed from the cell at a specific point inside of the cell called the cytoproct (Shefferly, 2010). Considering this process that the protist undergoes,
Abstract
The purpose of this experiment was to study the rate of phagocytosis of the specific protist known as Tetrahymena vorax. This certain kind of protist feeds at a normal rate when conditions are normal. We began the experiment of understanding how Tetrahymena feeds at normal temperatures. Doing so, we allowed the Tetrahymena to feed at specific time limits and then killed the protist with gluderaldheyde to detect how much the protist gained. We then counted how many food vacuoles were filled with India ink that was included in the environment of the Tetrahymena while the time was ticking. We then constructed a similar experiment with different conditions to compare if the rate of phagocytosis was affected by the change in conditions. Comparing the two environments, we found that indeed the rate of Phagocytosis was affected by a change in environmental conditions. Introduction Tetrahymeha Vorax consist of freshwater protists that usually are oval shaped if not almost egg shaped. This organism belongs to a specific group known as the ciliates (Cambell). They use specialized feeding structures such as the Buccal Cavity to ingest their food into their oral cavity (Shefferly, 2010). The Tetrahymena feed at different rates over time and can change with environmental variables. The food that is ingested into the Tetrahymena is contained in the food vacuoles inside of the organism. After the Tetrahymena has completed it’s feeding and the food vacuoles are filled, the digestion process then occurs. The digestion process has a certain type of organelle to invite enzymes to break down the food particles known as lysosomes. This then leads into the excretion of waste for the Tetrahymena. Any food particles that were left undigested are then removed from the cell at a specific point inside of the cell called the cytoproct (Shefferly, 2010). Considering this process that the protist undergoes,
Cited: * -Shefferly, Nancy. University of Alabama BSC 117 Laboratory Manual Spring 2010. Tuscaloosa, AL: Shefferly, 2010. * -Cambell, Neil, Jane Reece, Lisa Urry, Michael Cane, Steven Wasserman, Peter Minorsky, and Robert Jackson. Biology. 8th ed. San Francisco, CA: Benjamin Cummings Inc., 2008. * Curds, C.R., Cockburn, A. 1968. Studies on the Growth and Feeding of Tetrahymena pyriformis in Axenic and Monoxenic Culture. Journal of General Microbiology 54:343-358.