Ciliate

A single-celled eukaryote in the phylum Ciliophora, typically covered with cilia used for movement or feeding. Ciliates are distinguished by nuclear dimorphism, usually having a large macronucleus and one or more small micronuclei.

Cilium: A short, hairlike cell projection built from microtubules and used for movement, sensing, or moving fluid. Rows of cilia propel many ciliates and sweep food toward their mouths.
Eukaryote: An organism whose cells contain a nucleus enclosed by a membrane and other membrane-bound compartments. Ciliates belong to this broad group of organisms.
Paramecium: A genus of freshwater ciliates with an elongated body covered in cilia. Its swimming, feeding, and cellular structures exemplify familiar ciliate biology.
Ciliophora: A phylum of alveolate protists characterized by cilia and nuclear dimorphism. Ciliate is the common name for members of this phylum.
Model organism: A species studied to investigate biological processes that can illuminate other organisms. Tetrahymena and other ciliates make cell processes experimentally accessible.
Ciliary beat: The coordinated bending cycle by which motile cilia generate fluid flow or propel a cell. Its coordinated strokes let ciliate cells swim or direct water currents.
Cytoskeleton: A network of protein filaments that supports cell shape, movement, and internal organization. Its microtubules underpin cilia and help organize ciliate cell structure.
Tetrahymena: A genus of single-celled ciliates widely used in laboratory research. Its tractable genetics and cell biology have made it a model ciliate.
Alveolata: A major eukaryotic group that includes ciliates, dinoflagellates, and apicomplexans. Ciliophora is one of the principal branches within this larger lineage.
Telomere: A protective DNA-protein structure at the end of a chromosome. Telomeres were first identified through studies of ciliate macronuclei.

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