Question

Paramecium feeds on micro-organisms. As the food is taken in, it undergoes a series of breakdown. The digested food is stored in the cytoplasm by creating a vacuole and the excess food or water has to be eliminated. Which one of the following organelles helps in the elimination of the wastes?

• A. Micro-nucleus
• B. Contractile vacuole
• C. Pellicle
• D. Gullet

Answer 1

The correct option is B Contractile vacuole

A well developed contractile vacuole is present in paramaecium. It has many channels around it. They absorb water from the cytoplasm.

In amoeba, whenever paramaecium engulfs food particles, it enters the vacuole. There are certain digestive enzymes inside the vacuole. They digest the food. The excess water is collected on the vacuole. It then swells and finally expels water through an opening in the cell membrane. So it performs the function of osmoregulation.

So, option B is the correct answer.