Paramecium is a unicellular organism belonging to the phylum Ciliophora. It is commonly found in freshwater where it feeds on microorganisms such as bacteria, algae and yeasts. In this article, we will discuss the mode of nutrition in Paramecium and the five steps involved in its feeding process.
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Mode of Nutrition in Paramecium
Paramecium exhibits Holozoic Nutrition, which is a type of heterotrophic mode of nutrition. Holozoic nutrition involves ingestion of solid food particles, followed by digestion, absorption, assimilation and egestion.
Unlike the amoeba, which engulfs its food using pseudopodia, Paramecium has hair-like structures called Cilia that help it sweep the food particles from water and put them into an oral groove. The food particles, usually smaller organisms such as algae or bacteria, are then ingested into the oral groove and into the Paramecium’s body. The food is ingested with some surrounding water and forms a food vacuole.
The Five Steps of Nutrition in Paramecium
The nutrition process in Paramecium involves five steps
- Ingestion
- Digestion
- Absorption
- Assimilation
- Egestion
Also Check – What is Holozoic Nutrition in Details
Also Check – Heterotrophic Nutrition – Definition ,Types Examples Class 10
Ingestion in Paramecium
Paramecium uses its cilia to sweep food particles from water and put them into an oral groove. The food particles are then ingested into the oral groove and into the body of the Paramecium. The food is absorbed with some surrounding water and forms a food vacuole.
Digestion in Paramecium
In Paramecium, the food in the food vacuole is digested by digestive enzymes. The enzymes from the surrounding cytoplasm enter the food vacuole and break down the food into small and soluble molecules through a chemical reaction. The food is then broken down into its basic components such as amino acids, fatty acids and simple sugars.
Absorption in Paramecium
The digested food present in the food vacuole of Paramecium is absorbed by diffusion directly into the cytoplasm of the Paramecium cell. The digested food simply spreads out from the food vacuoles throughout the Paramecium cell. These molecules are then transported to the mitochondria where they are used for energy production.
Also Check – Nutrition in Human Beings
Assimilation in Paramecium
The food absorbed in the Paramecium cell is used to obtain energy through respiration. The molecules are used for the growth and repair of the Paramecium’s body. These molecules are used to build new cells, form new Cilia and perform other functions necessary for the survival of the Paramecium.
Egestion in Paramecium
After the Paramecium has ingested, digested and utilised the food particles, it excretes all waste products through its contractile vacuole. This vacuole is responsible for removing excess water and waste products from the body of the Paramecium. The undigested food is removed through the anal pore of Paramecium.
Also Check – Process Of Digestion In Human Beings
Holozoic Nutrition in Paramecium Diagram
Holozoic Nutrition in Paramecium can be better understood with the help of a diagram. The diagram shows the five steps involved in the nutrition process of Paramecium.
ALSO CHECK– NUTRITION IN AMOEBA
Frequently asked Questions on Nutrition in Paramecium
Question- What is Paramecium and what does it feed on?
Answer- Paramecium is a tiny unicellular animal that feeds on microorganisms like bacteria, algae and yeasts.
Question- What is the mode of Nutrition in Paramecium?
Answer- Paramecium exhibits Holozoic Nutrition which is a type of Heterotrophic Mode of Nutrition.
Question- What is Holozoic Nutrition and how does Paramecium exhibit it?
Answer- Holozoic Nutrition is a type of Heterotrophic Mode of Nutrition where an organism ingests solid food particles, then breaks them down and absorbs them for energy. Paramecium exhibits Holozoic Nutrition by ingesting small organisms such as bacteria and algae through its Oral Groove.
Question- How does Paramecium ingest its food?
Answer- Paramecium uses its hair-like structure called Cilia to sweep the food particles from water and put them into an Oral Groove.
Also Check – How Amoeba Acquires its Food through the Process of Phagocytosis
Question- What are the five steps involved in Nutrition in Paramecium?
Answer- The five steps involved in Nutrition in Paramecium are Ingestion, Digestion, Absorption, Assimilation and Egestion.
Question- What happens to the food particles after they are taken into the Oral Groove of Paramecium?
Answer- The food particles, typically smaller organisms such as algae or bacteria, are then taken into the Oral Groove and into the Paramecium’s body. The food is ingested with a little surrounding water to form a food Vacuole.
Question- How does Paramecium ingest food and what happens to the food particles after Ingestion?
Answer- Paramecium uses its hair-like structures called cilia to sweep the food particles from water and put them into an Oral Groove. The food particles are then taken into the Oral Groove and into the Paramecium’s body, where they are ingested with a little surrounding water to form a food Vacuole.
Also Check – Cell Organelles – The Complete Guide
Question- How is food digested in Paramecium and what happens to the food Vacuole after Digestion?
Answer- Food is digested in the food Vacuole of Paramecium by digestive enzymes from surrounding cytoplasm. The enzymes break down the food into small and soluble molecules by chemical reactions. After Digestion, the food Vacuole disappears.
Question- How is the digested food absorbed in Paramecium?
Answer- The digested food present in the food Vacuole of Paramecium is absorbed directly into the cytoplasm of the Paramecium cell by diffusion. The digested food just spreads out from the food Vacuoles into the whole Paramecium cell.
Question- What happens to the molecules of digested food in Paramecium after they are absorbed?
Answer- These molecules are then transported to the mitochondria, where they are used to generate energy. Food absorbed in the Paramecium cell is also used to grow and repair the Paramecium’s body.
Question- What is Assimilation in Paramecium and what happens during this step of Nutrition?
Answer- Assimilation is the process by which the absorbed food molecules in Paramecium are used to obtain energy through respiration. These molecules are also used to grow and repair the Paramecium’s body, build new cells, create new cilia and perform other necessary functions.
Question- How does Paramecium excrete waste products and what happens to the undigested food
Answer- Once the Paramecium has taken in, digested and used the food particles, it will excrete any waste products through its contractile Vacuole. This Vacuole removes any excess water and waste materials from the Paramecium’s body. The undigested food is removed through an Anal Pore in Paramecium.
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