Paramecium moves by coordinated beating of its many short cilia. The cilia form longitudinal rows along the entire body of the cell and into the oral groove. The beating action of the cilia moves the Paramecium forward and backward; it also produces a slow rotation of the cell as it moves through the water. The cilia in the oral groove propel food particles into the cell mouth, where the food can be ingested by phagocytosis. Credit: Graham R. Kent and Rebecca L. Turner, Smith College.
