Understanding the Structure and Life Processes of Euglena: A Comprehensive Guide

Objectives       

This  blog post provides readers with the following objectives. The reader will be able to:
o   Describe the structure of  Euglena.
o   Explain the life processes of  Euglena.

Structure and Life Processes of Euglena

Kingdom: Protoctista                       

Phylum: Euglenophyta

Euglena is a genus of unicellular protists that are commonly found in freshwater and saltwater environments. Euglena exhibits both plant-like and animal-like characteristics, making it a unique and interesting subject of study in biology. Here, we delve into the structure and life processes of Euglena.


Habitat of Euglena

Euglena is found in lakes, ponds, ditches, contaminated stagnant water and slow-moving streams.


Structure of Euglena

Euglena is unique organism with both plant and animal features.

It is unicellular with a body covered with a thin, elastic and flexible pellicle, enclosing a cytoplasm.

The cytoplasm consists of thin outer clear ectoplasm (plasmagel) and an inner more fluid, granular endoplasm (plasmasol).

It has a gullet with reservoir base located at the anterior. A long flagellum and short one arising from the base of reservoir.

At the base of the long flagellum is photoreceptor covered by a red pigment spot called eyespot. This enables euglena to respond positively to light.

Within the cytoplasm lies a stellate chloroplast, eyespot at the anterior end, a contractile vacuole near the reservoir, paramylum granules and a nucleus placed towards the posterior end. 


drawing of Euglena

Life processes of Euglena

Movement in Euglena

Movement is achieved by lashing the long flagellum against the water. Waves in a spiral manner along the flagellum from the base to the tip causing Euglena to rotate about its anterior-posterior axis and also gyrate. Sometimes as Euglena moves along, the myonemes contract and relax alternatively causing waves to pass along the body from the anterior to the posterior end. It moves in a zigzag path whiles rotating on its axis, this wriggle movement is described as euglenoid.


Nutrition in Euglena

Autotroph: Euglena possesses chloroplast and feeds by means of photosynthesis. Energy trapped from the sun is used to synthesize glucose from water and carbon dioxide. Excess glucose is converted into starch and stored in the paramylum granules.

Heterotroph: Euglena without chloroplast ingests decaying plant and animal remains through the gullet and digest them in the reservoir.


Respiration in Euglena

Exchange of gases occurs between the cell and the surrounding water by diffusion. Oxygen diffuses into the cytoplasm through the pellicle. Carbon dioxide produced as a result of respiration is released outwards.

Irritability in Euglena

Euglena possesses a red eye spot sensitive to light (photosensitive). It enables Euglena to move towards light needed for photosynthesis. When it comes into contact with unfavorable stimulus it quickly moves away from it.


Regulation and Homeostasis

The contractile vacuole plays a key role in osmoregulation by expelling excess water that diffuses into the cell, maintaining the internal environment's stability.


Metabolism 

Euglena exhibits a versatile metabolism that allows it to switch between autotrophic and heterotrophic modes of nutrition depending on environmental conditions. This metabolic flexibility helps it adapt to changing environments.


Reproduction in Euglena

Euglena reproduces asexually by binary fission. It begins with division of the nucleus, followed by the longitudinal division of the cell itself. 

In low moisture conditions, or when food is scarce, Euglena forms a protective wall around itself as in amoeba and lies dormant. The content of the cyst divides into two, four or more euglenae when favorable conditions return.

Asexual reproduction in Euglena

Plant-Like Features of Euglena

1. It has chloroplast containing chlorophyll used to absorb light. 

2. Paramylum granules for starch storage

3. Pyrenoids  

4. Definite shape

 

Animal-Like Features of Euglena

1. Gullet for feeding.

2. Has flagellum for locomotion.
3. Myonemes for movement.
4. Has pellicle that gives it a definite shape.
5. Has eye spot to detect light intensity.
6. Has contractile vacuole for osmoregulation and excretion.


Adaptation of Euglena

1.   The body is protected by a stiff pellicle.

2.   It has contractile for osmoregulation.

3.     It possesses locomotory organ (flagellum) for movement. 

4.  Presence of chloroplast for photosynthesis

5.   It has paramylum granules for starch storage.

6.   It possesses eyespot for light sensitivity.


Conclusion

Euglena is a fascinating protist with a unique combination of plant-like and animal-like features. Its structure, including the pellicle, flagellum, eye spot, chloroplasts, and contractile vacuole, supports various life processes such as locomotion, photosynthesis, heterotrophy, response to light, reproduction, and homeostasis. The versatility and adaptability of Euglena make it an important model organism for studying cellular biology and ecology.

For further reading, visit Photosynthesis in Euglena on ScienceDirect and Phototaxis in Euglena on PubMed Central.

Download Free PDF on Structure and life processes of Amoeba, Paramecium, Euglena, Rhizopus, Moss and Fern Plant

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