Slipper Animalcule is the name of

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 1:

Paramecium is a genus of single-celled protozoans, specifically ciliates, that are commonly found in freshwater environments. They are widely recognized for their distinctive slipper-like or sole-like shape, which gives rise to their common name, "Slipper Animalcule." These organisms are characterized by their numerous cilia, short hair-like structures that cover their entire body and are used for both locomotion and feeding. Paramecium exhibits a fascinating method of feeding called filter feeding, where it uses the coordinated beating of its cilia to create water currents that sweep food particles, such as bacteria and algae, into its oral groove. This makes them important in aquatic food webs.

The incorrect option is 2: Plasmodium

Plasmodium is a genus of parasitic protozoans, well-known for causing malaria in humans and other animals. Unlike Paramecium, Plasmodium is not free-living and has a complex life cycle involving both mosquito and vertebrate hosts. It does not possess a slipper-like shape, nor is it referred to as a "Slipper Animalcule."

The incorrect option is 3: Chlamydomonas

Chlamydomonas is a genus of green algae, characterized by its unicellular structure and the presence of two flagella used for motility. While it is a single-celcelled organism, its shape is typically spherical or ovoid, not slipper-like. It is a photosynthetic organism, unlike the heterotrophic Paramecium, and is never called a "Slipper Animalcule."

The incorrect option is 4: Vorticella

Vorticella is another genus of ciliates, but it is distinct from Paramecium. Vorticella is typically bell-shaped and attaches itself to substrates by a contractile stalk. While it uses cilia for feeding, its sessile nature and characteristic bell shape differentiate it significantly from the free-swimming, slipper-shaped Paramecium. Therefore, it is not known as the "Slipper Animalcule."