Cilia

∞ generated and posted on 2016.08.26 ∞

Plasma-membrane enclosed cytoplasmic extensions that are relatively short and numerous per cell and which are used to push against the fluid found outside of the cell.

Cilia, singular, cilium, are shorter and oar like while flagella are longer and whip like. Both cilia and flagella are found in free-living rotists while only cilia tend to be found inside of animal bodies.

Many of cells lining our respiratory system are ciliated, working to push the mucus that is secreted there up into our mouths via a process that collectively is described as the mucociliary escalator or ciliary escalator.

The following video shows protists swimming and/or eating, including the ciliated protist type known as ciliates:


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