what is the importance of protozoa
what is the importance of protozoa
The protozoa are acellular, microscopic organisms found everywhere, in water, soil, on the body of plants and animals. Although they are minute and apparently insignificant, but they are of considerable economic value to the mankind.
The protozoa are useful in the following ways:
1. Food
Protozoa provide food for insect larvae, crustaceans and worms, which are taken by large animals like fishes, lobsters, clams, and crabs, which are eaten by man. Thus they form sources of food supply to man both directly and indirectly.
2. Symbiotic Protozoa
Certain protozoa like Trichonympha and Colonymphya etc. live in the gut of termites which help in the digestion of cellulose. The digested cellulose is utilized by the host.
3. Insect Control
Several protozoa control harmful insects by persisting their bodies.
4. Helpful in Sanitation
A large number of protozoa living in polluted water feed upon waste organic matters and thus purify it.
Many protozoa feed upon bacteria and play important role in the sanitary bettermant and keeping water safe for drinking {Kudo, 1947).
5. Industry
The skeletal deposits of marine protozoa (Foraminifera and Radiolaria) form oceanic ooze at the sea-bottom. About 30% of oceanic bed is covered with the Globigerinaooze, these skeletal deposits are put to many uses. Some are employed as filtering agents, others are made into chalk and still others are used for abrasives.
6. Building material
The skeletal deposits in due course of time change in to the limestone rock. Limestone is provided by the Globigerina ooze, such as that of cliffs of Dover, which have played an important role in the defense of England. Camerina (Formally known as Nummulites, are the largest protozoa, which form limestone. The pyramids of Egypt are made largely of this Nummulitic lime-stones. Thus, limestone-beds are used as building material.
7. Oil Exploration
Petroleum is organic origin. The skeletal deposit of Formmifera and Radiolaria are often found in association with oil deposits. In this manner they help in the exact location of oil.
8. Scientific Study
Many protozoa are used in biological and medical researches. A Holotricha, Tetrachymena geleii is used in nutritional research. The effects of various foods and poisons have been investigated on this protozoan.
The protozoa are acellular, microscopic organisms found everywhere, in water, soil, on the body of plants and animals. Although they are minute and apparently insignificant, but they are of considerable economic value to the mankind.
The protozoa are useful in the following ways:
1. Food
Protozoa provide food for insect larvae, crustaceans and worms, which are taken by large animals like fishes, lobsters, clams, and crabs, which are eaten by man. Thus they form sources of food supply to man both directly and indirectly.
2. Symbiotic Protozoa
Certain protozoa like Trichonympha and Colonymphya etc. live in the gut of termites which help in the digestion of cellulose. The digested cellulose is utilized by the host.
3. Insect Control
Several protozoa control harmful insects by persisting their bodies.
4. Helpful in Sanitation
A large number of protozoa living in polluted water feed upon waste organic matters and thus purify it.
Many protozoa feed upon bacteria and play important role in the sanitary bettermant and keeping water safe for drinking {Kudo, 1947).
5. Industry
The skeletal deposits of marine protozoa (Foraminifera and Radiolaria) form oceanic ooze at the sea-bottom. About 30% of oceanic bed is covered with the Globigerinaooze, these skeletal deposits are put to many uses. Some are employed as filtering agents, others are made into chalk and still others are used for abrasives.
6. Building material
The skeletal deposits in due course of time change in to the limestone rock. Limestone is provided by the Globigerina ooze, such as that of cliffs of Dover, which have played an important role in the defense of England. Camerina (Formally known as Nummulites, are the largest protozoa, which form limestone. The pyramids of Egypt are made largely of this Nummulitic lime-stones. Thus, limestone-beds are used as building material.
7. Oil Exploration
Petroleum is organic origin. The skeletal deposit of Formmifera and Radiolaria are often found in association with oil deposits. In this manner they help in the exact location of oil.
8. Scientific Study
Many protozoa are used in biological and medical researches. A Holotricha, Tetrachymena geleii is used in nutritional research. The effects of various foods and poisons have been investigated on this protozoan.
