WHERE DO PARAMECIUM LIVE?
Paramecium live in aquatic environments, usually in stagnant, warm water. The species Paramecium bursaria forms symbiotic relationships with green algae. The algae live in its cytoplasm. Algal photosynthesis provides a food source for Paramecium. Some species form relationships with bacteria. For example, Paramecium caudatum hosts Holospora obtusa in its macronucleus. This bacteria is specific to the macronucleus of Paramecium caudatum; they cannot grow outside of this organism. This species acquires heat-shock resistance when infected with Holospora obtusa, which contributes to ciliary motion. Paramecium are also well known as prey for Didinium.
Paramecia play a role in the carbon cycle because the bacteria they eat are often found on decaying plants. Paramecium will eat the decaying plant matter in addition to the bacteria, further aiding decomposition.
Paramecia can be used as model organisms in research. Currently, they are being used a great deal in genetics research. For example, recent research involves inactivating Paramecium genes for studying functional analysis by homology-dependent gene silencing. They can also be used to study membrane excitability and the duplication of basal bodies