Biology / Unit 9 Bio 2005 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Alveolates: Dinoflagellates and Ciliates
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The idea
Alveolates are defined by an alveolus, a membrane-enclosed sac beneath the cell membrane; dinoflagellates and ciliates are its two best-known subgroups.
In practice
A dinoflagellate spins using two flagella fitted into grooves on its cellulose plates; a ciliate like Paramecium swims by ciliary beating.
Where people slip
Ciliates carry two nuclei of different function, a macronucleus and micronucleus — a feature the alveolar-sac criterion alone misses.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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