paramecia

par·a·me·ci·um   (pār'ə-mē'shē-əm, -sē-əm)    n.   pl. par·a·me·ci·a (-shē-ə, -sē-ə) or par·a·me·ci·ums Any of various freshwater ciliate protozoans of the genus Paramecium, usually oval and having an oral groove for feeding. [New Latin Paramēcium, genus name, from Greek paramēkēs, oblong in shape : para-, alongside; see para-1 + mēkos, length; see māk- in Indo-European roots.]

Paramecium 

Main Entry: par·a·me·cium
Pronunciation: "par-&-'mE-sh(E-)&m, -sE-&m
Function: noun
1 capitalized : a genusof ciliate protozoans that have an elongate body rounded at the anterior end and an oblique funnel-shaped buccal groove bearing the mouth at the extremity
2 plural par·a·me·cia /-sh(E-)&, -sE-&/ also par·a·me·ciums : any ciliate protozoan of the genus Paramecium

Paramecium Par·a·me·ci·um (pār'ə-mē'shē-əm, -sē-əm)
n.
A genus of freshwater ciliate protozoans, characteristically slipper-shaped and covered with cilia, and commonly used for genetic research and other studies.

paramecium   (pār'ə-mē'sē-əm)  Pronunciation Key  Plural paramecia or parameciums Any of various freshwater protozoans of the genus Paramecium that are usually oval in shape and that move by means of cilia. Although they consist of a single cell, paramecia are large enough to be visible to the naked eye. Like other ciliates, paramecia contain two nuclei, a macronucleus and a micronucleus. On the cellular surface is a groove that opens into a gullet, into which food particles are absorbed.