On our first evening using our microscope we saw a this beautiful single celled organism known as a protozoan. Our research showed this to be paramecium.
Their shapes seemed to vary between round, oval & bean like & they zip through the water at speed, stopping between debris & squeezing between, stretching & elastic. Their single celled wall is known as a pellicle, which allows it to be so flexible. This is covered in tiny cilia or hairs which enable it to zip through the water & to send food particles into its mouth groove.
They have fascinating personal lives & can reproduce asexually or sexually often up to 2 to 3 times per day!
Inside the paramecium’s cytoplasm are beautiful blobs of green algae called chlorella. This provides both food for the paramecium through photosynthesis & protection for the algae from viruses & predators- so they have a great symbiotic relationship!
Paramecium are so beneficial to our pond ecosystem as they help to break down dead organic materials & to provide food for other organisms, eg. Amoebas, didiniums & water fleas.