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vorticella

vorticella

1 9.9
A small single-celled animal with a cup-shaped body and a stalk it can pull in that lives in fresh water
  • noun
  • /vɔːrˈtɪsəˌlɑː/
  • Specialized
: vorticela
  • Under the microscope, the vorticella could be seen contracting its stalk when disturbed.

Examples

  • The biologist explained how the vorticella feeds by creating water currents with its cilia.

  • The vorticella is often found in ponds.

  • Several vorticellae attach themselves to submerged plants in freshwater ponds.

  • Under the microscope, a vorticella looks fascinating.

  • The vorticella is a fascinating microorganism that can be seen under a microscope, showcasing its unique goblet shape.

  • In a freshwater pond, you might observe a vorticella attached to a surface, extending its stalk to feed on tiny particles.

  • Scientists study the behavior of vorticella to understand how single-celled organisms interact with their environment.

Surface Forms

vorticella singular
vorticellae plural

Etymology

Vorticella comes from the Latin root vortex meaning 'whirl' or 'whirlpool' and the small ending -ella meaning 'little'. So a vorticella is like a 'little whirl', a tiny single-celled animal that makes spinning water currents with its cilia to feed.