This year, I am going to do a poem a day on a scientific term. I will take suggestions, feel free to offer terms in the comments section of this page!
Last year, I made it halfway through the month, this year, I am determined to post one poem each day!
Today’s contribution:
Paramecium (suggestion from Tom)
dainty life
floating
swimming
dancing
in the water
graceful ballet
this way
that way
in the pool
ancient life
keeper of the water
deceptively simple
design
ageless complexity
timeless beauty
The paramecium is one of those necessary organisms that performs its function tirelessly. It helps recycle detritus, as a second-line recycler, consuming the bacteria that are the first decomposers of plant material. Along with other ciliates, the paramecium has two nuclei rather than the more common single nucleus found in other eukaryotic life. The paramecium provides a glimpse into the the variability and adaptability of life even at the most basic level.
For more information about this cute little critter, I recommend the University of Massachusetts’ detailed page. Wikipedia also has a series of linked articles that appear to be reliable and have nicely detailed diagrams. Follow the link here to the Classification section toward the bottom of the page to see other ciliates, paramecium are found in the subphylum Intramacronucleata, class Oligohymenophorea, subclass Peniculia.
The information about the use of the paramecium image for today is at freedigitalphotos.net.
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