A bundle of microtubules that arises from a basal body adjacent to the cytoproct comes to lie along a spent DV-IV. The assumption is that movement generated by molecular motors propels the spent vacuo...

High resolution image of the somatic basal bodies along the sides of the cytoproct ridge have bundles of microtubules extending into the endoplasm from near their proximal ends. These bundles make con...

The somatic basal bodies along the sides of the cytoproct ridge have bundles of microtubules extending into the endoplasm from near their proximal ends. These bundles make contact with the spent vacuo...

High resolution image of the cytoproct is the site of spent vacuole defecation on the surface of Paramecium. When closed the cytoproct forms a long narrow wavy ridge along the posterior suture. At its...

The cytoproct is the site of spent vacuole defecation on the surface of Paramecium. When closed the cytoproct forms a long narrow wavy ridge along the posterior suture. At its apex the ridge is about ...

In defecation, when a spent vacuole has fused with the single membrane along the midline of the ridge the lips of the cytoproct split apart and form a wide gap. The membrane of the spent vacuole is no...

High resolution view of the cytoproct ridge at higher magnification. The unique system of thick fibers extends from each side of the ridge toward the center of the ridge. These thickened fibers are no...

The cytoproct ridge at higher magnification. The unique system of thick fibers extends from each side of the ridge toward the center of the ridge. These thickened fibers are not found in any other par...

P. multimicronucleatum in defecation. When a spent vacuole has fused with the single membrane along the midline of the ridge the lips of the cytoproct split apart and form a wide gap. The membrane of ...

High resolution image of a colchicine-treated cell, used in an attempt to disrupt its microtubules. We found that microtubules already formed are not disrupted in Paramecium multimicronucleatum. This ...