It has been suggested that portions of this article be split out into articles titled Tetrahymena thermophila and Tetrahymena pyriformis. (Discuss) (October 2021) |
This article may need to be rewritten to comply with Wikipedia's quality standards. (October 2021) |
Tetrahymena | |
---|---|
Tetrahymena thermophila | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Clade: | Diaphoretickes |
Clade: | SAR |
Clade: | Alveolata |
Phylum: | Ciliophora |
Class: | Oligohymenophorea |
Order: | Hymenostomatida |
Family: | Tetrahymenidae |
Genus: | Tetrahymena |
Tetrahymena is a genus of free-living ciliates, examples of unicellular eukaryotes.[1] The genus Tetrahymena is the most widely studied member of its phylum.[2]: 59 It can produce, store and react with different types of hormones. Tetrahymena cells can recognize both related and hostile cells.[3]
They can also switch from commensalistic to pathogenic modes of survival.[citation needed] They are common in freshwater lakes, ponds, and streams.[2]: 277
Tetrahymena species used as model organisms in biomedical research are T. thermophila and T. pyriformis.[4][page needed]