What are some unique attributes about a Euglena?

Question

I'm doing a presentation Monday and I don't think I have enough stuff to talk for enough time.. I need some unique attributes of a Euglena! (ex. 'Can use photosynthesis as well as ingest food'). Please help, I'm having trouble finding them. List as many as you can!!

I do not want very detailed things, like it's length/speed. Just blunt facts like "Euglena has a contractile vacuole which prevents the cell from bursting." (Thanks Chez for your answer but I need less precise facts). So if anyone knows, I need to know:

1) Unique Parts
2) Unique functions/attributes.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

omigod!!! Zach... Sorry, I didnt get to open my Yahoo yesterday.

I hope it's not too late.

Structure of a euglena: flagellate freshwater protozoan. It is composed of chlorophyll and has a rudimentary eye.
Reservoir: part of a euglena used for storage.
Nucleus: central organelle of a euglena.
Contractile vacuole: cavity of the euglena that is able to contract.
Pellicle: membrane that envelops a euglena.
Chloroplast: organelle of the euglena responsible for photosynthesis.
Nucleolus: spherical body that contains the nucleus of a euglena.
Stigma: light-sensitive part of a euglena.
Flagellum: long, mobile filament used by the euglena for locomotion.

The euglena is unique because it is sort of like a plant and also like an animal. It is pear shaped. It has a whippy tail called a flagellum that allows it to move through the water.

The euglena is different than other protozoans because it has chlorophyll in it, the substance that plants contain to make their own food. The euglena is then able to make its own food like a plant when it is in the sunlight. When it is in darkness, however, it can get food like an animal. It takes in tiny plants and animals much like the ameba and paramecium.

The euglena has a bright red eyespot which is sensitive to light and helps the euglena find light.

The euglena reproduces by fission, splitting lengthwise in two. The flagellum goes with one part and the other part grows a new flagellum.

When it is too hot or cold for a euglena, it forms a protective casing called a cyst around its body that protects it until conditions outside the cyst become better.

If you have time, you can see euglena in stagnant waters. Then put it on a glass slide, and observed it in microscope.
I have done it before.

I hope it's not too late though :(

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What are some unique attributes about a Euglena?
I'm doing a presentation Monday and I don't think I have enough stuff to talk for enough time.. I need some unique attributes of a Euglena! (ex. 'Can use photosynthesis as well as ingest food'). Please help, I'm having trouble finding them. List as many as you can!!

I do not...

Answer 3

Euglena is a unicellular organism. It is a single long flagellum. It has chloroplasts similar to those of green algae. It behaves like an animal and synthesize its own food. It has a distinctive red eyespot, and can move to a light source. It has a contractile vacuole to remove excess water.

Answer 4

Euglena Facts