The Biology of Paramecium

Ralph Wichterman, Plenum Press, pp. 599, 1986

Contents

Chapter 1: Classification and Species of Paramecium

A. Introduction

B. Taxonomy

C. Genus Characteristics Emend

D. "Aurelia" and "Bursaria" Groups

E. Key to the Common Well-Defined Species of Paramecium

F. Problems in the Systematics of Paramecium Species

G. Descriptions of the Species of Paramecium

Chapter 2: Morphology and Cytology of Paramecium

A. Introduction

B. Cortex: Pellicle, Ectoplasm, and Associated Structure

C. Endoplasm: Organelles and Inclusions

D. Nuclei

Chapter 3: Physical and Chemical Properties of the Protolasm of Paramecium

A. Introduction

B. Permeability and Membranes

C. Effects of Temperature and Various Agents on Protoplasm of Paramecium

D. Effects of Space Flights Aboard Soviet Orbital Station Salyut 6

Chapter 4: The Nutritional Requirements of Paramecium: Axenic Media

A. Introduction

B. Essential Neutralities and Axenic Media for Varous Species of Paramecium

C. Concluding Remarks

Chapter 5: Nutrition, Growth, and Respiration

A. Introduction

B. Ingestion and Food-Vacuole Formation

C. Secretion, Digestion, and Egestion

D. Growth and Morphogenesis

E. Factors That Yield Optimal Growth

F. Respiration

Chapter 6: Movement, Behavior, and Motor Response

A. Ciliary Movement and Locomotion

B. Response to Various Types of Stimuli

C. Behavior of Paramecium and the Question of Learning

Chapter 7: Reproduction, Morphogenesis, Nuclear Processes, and Sexuality

A. Asexual and Other Similar Processes Involving Nuclear Reorganization

B. Sexual Processes and Related Phenomena

Chapter 8: Genetics: The Mating Reaction, Mating Types, System of Breeding Relationships, and Inheritance in the Species of Paramecium

A. Introduction

B. Inheritance in Asexual or Vegetative Reproduction

C. Mating, Mating Types, and Inheritance in Sexual Reproduction

D. Some Aspects of the Mating Phenomenon and Characteristics of the Mating Substance

E. Regeneration and Morphogenesis

Chapter 9: The Life Cycle, Longevity, and Aging

A. Background

B. Isolation Cultures and Clonal Aging

C. Longevity and Clonal Aging in Regard to Autogamy, Cytogamy, and Conjugation

D. The Question of Cyst Formation in the Life Cycle

Chapter 10: The Antigens of Paramecium

A. Introduction

B. Surface Antigens and the Immobilization Reaction

C. Serological Studies on Speciation and Conjugation

D. Genetic Analysis: Inheritance of Antigenic Variation and Regulation of Surface-Antigen Expression

Chapter 11: Organisms Living in and upon Paramecium: The Endosymbionts

A. Paramecia as a Source of Food for Metazoan Animals: Their Role in the Food Chain in Nature

B. Associations of Paramecium with Other Microorganisms

C. Evolution of Endosymbionts of Paramecium

References and Bibliography ................................. 421

Index ................................................................... 593