In Paramoecium, food is taken in at a specific spot facilitated by cilia movement covering the cell surface, unlike the entire surface feeding seen in Amoeba.
How does Paramoecium, another unicellular organism, differ in its food intake compared to Amoeba?
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Paramecium, distinct from amoeba, utilizes cilia for locomotion and employs a specialized feeding structure called the oral groove. Cilia create water currents, drawing in food particles along with water. The oral groove directs this mixture to the oral cavity, where it forms a food vacuole. Complex membranous structures called trichocysts may assist in immobilizing prey. Within the vacuole, enzymatic digestion occurs, breaking down nutrients. Contractile vacuoles expel excess water. Paramecium’s feeding mechanism, featuring cilia-driven currents and the oral groove, showcases its specialization compared to the pseudopod-based phagocytosis employed by amoebas.