Dictionary > Ciliate

Ciliate

Definition
noun, plural: ciliates
Common name for the members of the phylum Ciliophora (or in other classification scheme, class Ciliata) that are mainly characterized by having numerous cilia
Supplement
In five kingdom scheme of classification, ciliates belong to the subphylum Ciliophora. In other classification schemes, ciliates belong to class Ciliata. Ciliates are protozoans (or protists) that are characterized by the presence of hair-like organelles called cilia. The presence of cilia as an organelle for locomotion was used as a means to classify ciliates from other protozoans, such as flagellates, amoeboids, and sporozoans. Cilia are not only involved in locomotion such as swimming, crawling, etc., they are used by ciliates for feeding and sensation. They occur almost everywhere especially in moist and aquatic habitats, such as lakes, ponds, oceans, rivers, and soils. Some of the ciliates include Stentor, Didinium), Balantidium, Colpoda, Coleps, Paramecium, Vorticella, Tetrahymena”, etc.
Apart from having cilia on the cell surface, the ciliates can also be distinguished from other protozoans in having two different types of nuclei. One is a small diploid micronucleus that is involved in reproduction and the other is a larger polypolid macronucleus that is involved in cell regulation.
Word origin: cilia + -ate
Scientific classification:

  • Domain: Eukarya
  • (unranked): SAR
  • (unranked): Alveolata
  • Phylum: Ciliophora

Other common name:

  • ciliophoran
  • See also:


    You will also like...

    Pikas are an indicator species for climate change
    Indicator Species and Endangered Species

    Certain species are capable of expressing characteristics indicative of the state of the ecosystem they occupy. They are..

    DNA - schematic
    Genetic Mutations

    This tutorial looks at the mutation at the gene level and the harm it may bring. Learn about single nucleotide polymorph..

    Plant biology
    Plant Biology

    Plantlife can be studied at a variety of levels, from the molecular, genetic and biochemical level through organelles, c..

    dinosaurs
    The Dinosaurs

    Dinosaurs represented a major turn in the evolutionary development of organisms on Earth. The first dinosaurs were presu..

    takahē
    Takahē (Porphyrio hochstetteri)

    Meet the colorful takahē, an extremely rare flightless bird. Find out more about its unique features and why they matte..

    Birth Control and Contraception
    Birth Control and Contraception

    Different pregnancy and birth control and contraception strategies are described. Read this tutorial to learn each of th..

    Related Articles...

    No related articles found

    See all Related Topics