Investigation of functions of life in Paramecium and one named photosynthetic unicellular organism.

Sourav PanNovember 7, 2024

Answered

Functions of Life in Paramecium and Chlamydomonas

Both Paramecium and Chlamydomonas are unicellular organisms that exemplify the fundamental functions of life, often summarized by the acronym MR SHENG: Metabolism, Reproduction, Sensitivity, Homeostasis, Excretion, Nutrition, and Growth. Below is an investigation of how each organism carries out these functions.

1. Paramecium

Paramecium is a ciliated protozoan that thrives in freshwater environments. Its structure and behavior enable it to perform all necessary life functions effectively.

• Metabolism: Paramecium performs metabolic processes in its cytoplasm, where enzymes facilitate essential chemical reactions necessary for energy production and cellular function.
• Reproduction: This organism can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Asexual reproduction occurs through binary fission, where the cell divides into two identical daughter cells. Sexual reproduction involves conjugation, where two Paramecium exchange genetic material.
• Sensitivity: Paramecium is sensitive to environmental stimuli. It uses its cilia not only for locomotion but also to detect changes in its surroundings, allowing it to respond by swimming away from harmful stimuli or toward food sources.
• Homeostasis: The contractile vacuole plays a crucial role in osmoregulation by expelling excess water from the cell, thus maintaining stable internal conditions.
• Excretion: Waste products are expelled through an anal pore, while liquid waste is managed by the contractile vacuole. This efficient waste removal system prevents accumulation of harmful substances within the cell.
• Nutrition: Paramecium is heterotrophic and feeds by engulfing food particles through a specialized feeding groove called the cytostome. Food vacuoles then digest these particles using enzymes.
• Growth: As it consumes nutrients, Paramecium grows in size until it reaches a point where it can divide through binary fission.

2. Chlamydomonas

Chlamydomonas is a unicellular green alga known for its ability to photosynthesize. It has distinct features that allow it to fulfill the functions of life.

• Metabolism: Like Paramecium, metabolic reactions occur in the cytoplasm of Chlamydomonas, facilitated by enzymes. Additionally, it carries out photosynthesis in its chloroplasts, converting light energy into chemical energy.
• Reproduction: Chlamydomonas can reproduce both sexually and asexually; asexual reproduction typically occurs through binary fission, while sexual reproduction involves gamete fusion under certain environmental conditions.
• Sensitivity: This organism has an eyespot that detects light intensity, enabling it to perform phototaxis—moving toward light for optimal photosynthesis.
• Homeostasis: Similar to Paramecium, Chlamydomonas utilizes contractile vacuoles to regulate water balance by expelling excess water from the cell.
• Excretion: Waste products are expelled via diffusion across the plasma membrane, ensuring that harmful substances do not accumulate within the cell.
• Nutrition: As an autotroph, Chlamydomonas produces its own food through photosynthesis using chlorophyll pigments to capture light energy and convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
• Growth: It grows by assimilating nutrients from its environment and increasing in size until it divides or forms new cells