Deciliation and Reciliation in Paramecium after Treatment with Ethanol

Abstract

Strong shaking in a solution containing 5% ethanol quickly removed a11 the cilia except those in the buccal cavity from a paramecium. The cilia were cut just distal to the axosome. Ciliary regrowth took place soon after transfer to a medium containing no ethanol. Scanning electron microscopy showed that there were regional differences in the rate of ciliary repopulation. Colchicine reversibly blocked reciliation.