Paramecia are microscopic, single-celled living organisms shaped like slippers. They are found in fresh lake water and have the fascinating ability to shoot out poison darts called
trichocysts
to wound and capture their prey.
Once a paramecium shoots its dart, its prey is stunned. Paramecium feed on smaller bacteria like algae and yeast. This actually helps the environment by cleaning bacteria out of lake water.
Every paramecium has an extremely small organelle called the
nucleus
, which works like the human brain does. It is divided into the
micronucleus
, a storage site for the DNA of the organisms, and the
macronucleus
, the center of where the organism produces power.
Paramecia also have little hairs called
cilia
that vibrate rhythmically and help them move forward, backward, and even in a circle.
These little unicellular creatures are the geniuses in the
parameciidae
family because they are the most complex of these organisms, and they help the environment.
[Source:
Encyclopedia Britanica
]