What are Ciliates?

Ciliates are ciliated protozoa. They can be quite large in size (up to a few mm in length) and are usually very motile. A single celled organism a ciliate must perform all of the functions that multicellular organisms must perform but without specialized cells. Thus their subcellular architecture can be quite complex, making them ideal organisms for the study of subcellular structure and how such structures are formed.

How do Ciliates move?

Ciliates use the hair-like cilia organelles to propel themselves through their environment. These structures can literally cover the whole cell uniformly (as in the hypertrichs) or be relatively large and rare structures on the cell surface (as in the hypotrichs).

A cilium is an membrane covered extension of the cell membrane that contains and assortment of cytoskeleton proteins that give the structure the ability to move and thus push against the medium. Microtubules are one of the principle protein found in cilia but in addition another important class of proteins found in the cilia are a class of motor proteins, known as dynein. This motor protein is attached to a microtubule and can reach additional microtubules and slide them relative to each other. By coordinating the relative sliding motions the cell can cause the cilia to bend. Cilia are organized by centrioles that move to the cell periphery where they are known as basal bodies.

To learn more about Paramecium behavior click here.

Where do you find ciliates?

Just about anywhere there is water, moderate temperatures, and debris. For an easy source try looking in your local pond or gulley. Most ciliates are relatively large for single celled organisms and thus can be seen with a low power microscope.

Why are ciliates useful as model organisms for research?

Ciliates offer many advantages as a research organism. They can be manipulated genetically and thus it is easy to isolate mutants. Since ciliates are easy to mate it is possible to construct complex strains with various mutations present for a detailed study of genetic interactions.

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