Feeding flow and membranelle filtration in ciliates

Abstract

Feeding of ciliates on suspended food particles is complex and relies typically on coordinated motion in bands of transversal rows of cilia known as membranelles. We explore and model the fluid dynamics of feeding flow and particle retention in upstream collecting ciliates that use a single membranelle band to both generate feeding flow, retain food particles, and transport them to the cell mouth.

Topics & Concepts