This book presents a survey of the current knowledge and research on Paramecium. Scientists find Paramecium a most useful object for the study of basic biological enigmas. To cover all aspects on the cell biology, cell physiology, genetics, developmental biology, ecology, endocytobiology, and molecular biology of Paramecium, specialists were asked to review their own fields. They have also included quite recent studies on the cytoskeleton, endo- and exocytosis, aging, sensory and membrane physiology, electrophysiology and motility. This comprehensive overview on the biology of a eukaryotic organism will interest students as well as scientists working on all aspects of cell research.

Contents: Introduction.- Cytology.- The Species Concept and Breeding Systems.- Mating-Type Inheritance.- Conjugation.- Mating-Type Substances.- The Cell Cycle and Regulation of Cell Mass and Macronuclear DNA Content.- Nuclear Dimorphisms and Function.- Aging.- Organization and Expression of the Nuclear Genome.- Immobilization Antigens.- Mitochondria.- Electrophysiology.- Motor Control of Cilia.- A Genetic Dissection of Ion-Channel Functions.- Biochemistry of Cilia.- Behavioral Genetics in P. caudatum.- Chemokinesis.- The Lysosome System.- Exocytosis: Biogenesis, Transport and Secretion of Trichocysts.- The Cytoskeleton.- Endocytobiosis.- Endosymbionts of Killer Paramecia.- Ecology.- Subject Index.