A close up of a Vorticella, shows the rows of cilia - the only cilia they have is in the form of this membranelle. An undulating membrane guides the food particles towards the mouth region (buccal cavity). The stalk can be contracted by means of a 'spasmoneme' whose contractile elements pass into the body. Protistology is almost like poetry!

See another species of Vorticella.

 
Part of the Collection of the Ciliate Centre of the Micropolitan Museum © Wim van Egmond