Studies on Suctorian Protozoa: The Mechanism of Ingestion of Prey Cytoplasm.*

Abstract

The rate of ingestion of cytoplasm from its prey ciliate by Podophrya collini shows a maximum at 18°C. The rate of ingestion is the same for all active tentacles during the feeding period. Calculation of the amount of cytoplasm ingested from rate measurement and from dimensional alterations of ciliate and suctorian during feeding indicates conformity to the hypothesis that the motive force for ingestion results from integrated activity of the total cell and not from autonomous activity of the tentacles alone. The estimated motive force approximates 0.2 atmosphere. Data is presented to indicate that energy to maintain this motive force is derived from the normal oxidative metabolism of the suctorian.