Myzocytosis

Myzocytosis

Myzocytosis (from Greek: myzein, (μυζεῖν) meaning "to suck" and kytos (κύτος) meaning "container", hence referring to "cell") is a method of feeding found in some heterotrophic organisms. It is also called "cellular vampirism" as the predatory cell pierces the cell wall and/or cell membrane of the prey cell with a feeding tube, sucks out the cellular content and digests it.

A classic example of myzocytosis is the feeding method of the infamous predatory ciliate, Didinium, where it is often depicted devouring a hapless Paramecium. The Suctorian ciliates feed exclusively through myzocytosis.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Algae — For other uses, see Algae (disambiguation) and Alga (disambiguation). Algae Laurencia, a marine genus of Red Algae from Hawaii. Scientific classification …   Wikipedia

  • List of feeding behaviours — Feeding is the process by which organisms, typically animals, obtain food. Terminology often uses either the suffix vore from Latin vorare, meaning to devour , or phagy, from Greek φαγειν, meaning to eat . Mosquito drinking blood …   Wikipedia

  • Plasmodium — This article is about the malaria parasite. For plasmodial slime molds, see Slime mold. Plasmodium Scientific classification Domain: Eukaryota …   Wikipedia

  • Colpodella — Scientific classification Kingdom: Chromalveolata Superphylum: Alveolata Family: Colpodellidae Simpson & …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”