Experiment 3

Phagocytosis in Tetrahymena
sp.
Group No. 3
Del Munda, Aristeo Renoir
Del Villar, Maja Rael
Domingo, Jerald Joseph
Draheim, Kristella
Estrella, Brian Nicole

INTRODUCTION
Endocytosis
The process by which cells absorb molecules (such
as proteins) by engulfing them.
Types of Endocytosis : Phagocytosis and Pinocytosis.

Pinocytosis
The process by which a cell

takes in extracellular fluid by

the invagination of the cell
membrane.
A pocket then forms and

pinches off to form a vesicle,

which subsequently ruptures,
releasing its contents into the
cytosol.
It is nonspecific in the

substances that it transports.

Phagocytosis
The cellular process of

engulfing solid particles by the

cell membrane to form an
internal phagosome by
phagocytes and protists.
Engulfs whole particles, which

are later broken down by

enzymes and absorbed into
the cells.
Involved in the acquisition of

nutrients for some cells, and,

in the immune system, it is a
major mechanism used to
remove pathogens and cell
debris.

Tetrahymena sp.
A free-living unicellular eukaryote.
A ciliate considered to be the most

highly developed protozoan, because

it possesses specialized organelles
that perform each of the cell
functions.
Commonly found in freshwater and

even hot springs.

Possess rapid adaptation machineries

to regulate biological processes

including cell division, conjugation
and cell death against intracellular
and extracellular stresses.

Why use Tetrahymena sp. in observing

Phagocytosis?
They are easily obtained,

cultured and
manipulated.
Phagocytosis can be
observed under the
microscope.
Food vacuoles can be
readily observed.

Objectives
To observe the phagocytosis process of

Tetrahymena sp.
The experiment aims to observe the scrapings

of graphite by Tetrahymena sp.

Materials
Tetrahymena cell suspension
Chlorella sp. culture
Microscope
Slides and cover slips
Micropippetors and tips
Graphite shavings

Methods
On a slide, a drop of Tetrahymena sp.
was put. Then, a cover slip was put on the
slide. On the microscope, the slide with the
Tetrahymena sp. was observed. The
graphite from the lead of the pencil was
scraped and was allowed to fall on the
drop of the Tetrahymena sp. culture. A
cover slip was placed above and the slide
was observed under the microscope.

Group 1
Cell no.

1
2
3
4
5
average

Tetrahyme
na +
graphite

Group 2
Cell
no.
1
2
3
4
5
avera
ge

Tetrahyme
na +
graphite

Group 3
Cell no.

1
2
3
4
5
average

Tetrahyme
na +
graphite

Group 4

Cell no.

1
2
3
4
5
average

Tetrahyme
na +
graphite

Group 4

Cell no.

1
2
3
4
5
average

Tetrahyme
na +
graphite

Group 5

Cell no.

1
2
3
4
5
average

Tetrahyme
na +
graphite

Group 6

Cell no.

1
2
3
4
5
average

Tetrahyme
na +
graphite

Group 7
Cell no.

1
2
3
4
5
average

Tetrahyme
na +
graphite

Group 8

Cell no.

1
2
3
4
5
Average

Tetrahyme
na +
graphite

Group 9

Cell no.

1
2
3
4
5
average

Tetrahyme
na +
graphite

Group 9

Cell no.

1
2
3
4
5
average

Tetrahyme
na +
graphite

Tetrahymena +
graphite
Average
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Class average

Videos

Result and Discussion

In unstained Tetrahymena sp.,

the most conspicuous

structures are the food
vacuoles.
When a hungry Tetrahymena

sp. encounters food, they use

their cilia to sweep into the
cells buccal cavity.
Food vacuole number and

formation depends on how

much food eaten by the
Tetrahymena.

Pathway of Endocytosis
1. Movement of food to the

buccal cavity is
accomplished by cilia.
2. Food Vacuole Formation
3. Pinocytic vacuoles enters

the food vacuole, takes

the excess water and then
leaves the food vacuole.
4. Lysosomes transport

enzymes to the food

vacuoles so food particles
undergo digestion.
5. Once the nutrients has

been absorbed, waste

exits the vacuole.

Tetrahymena sp. and Graphite

Graphite
An allotrope of carbon
It is used inpencils
Graphiteis a minimally-toxiccarbon
based substance. Pencils do not contain
any lead metal.
Graphiteis a mineral composed
exclusively of the element
carbon.Graphitehas the samechemical
compositionas Diamond, which is also
pure carbon, but themolecularstructure
ofGraphiteand Diamond is entirely
different.
Food formation was low in number
It inhibits ciliary action which also inhibits

feeding and the rate of food vacuole

formation.

Source:
http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/subcommi
ttees/emr/usgsweb/photogallery
/
http://facweb.bhc.edu/academics/science/harwo

Conclusion
Based on the experiment conducted the
average food vacuole formed in Tetrahymena
sp. is higher when fed in Chlorella sp. than in
graphite. Because Chlorella sp. is complete
protein source and also packed with calories,
fat, and vitamins.