euglena

[VeenaandNivyah]

Hi
My textbook says that euglena, a protozoan (i think), can prepare its own food.well, it also says that it can catch its prey like paramoecium, using pioson darts.
now, is my textbook wrong or is there a more biological explanation to that. if there is, kindly let me know.
thanks in advance,
VeenaandNivyah

[MrMistery]

Euglena viridis-highly debated organism, as far as taxonomy inside the Protista kingdom is concerned. Some people place it and it's close relatives under protozoans, under place them under algae.

Euglena has a mixotrof feeding system. When there is light in the environment, it can perform photosynthesis very well. But under dark conditions it gains advantages against (other) algae, because it can also capture other organisms(mostly bacteria) and feed on them.

Quite a fascinating organism...

[Poison]

Simply, if it finds something, it gets, if not it synthesizes.

[MrMistery]

actually it is the other way around from what i remember: if it has light, it makes, if it doesn't it catches...

[VeenaandNivyah]

then, is it totally dependent on the environment whether it photosynthesises or catches prey?
no other factors?

[Poison]

actually it is the other way around from what i remember: if it has light, it makes, if it doesn't it catches...

This was what our zoology prof. said. The info may be wrong of course.
But thinking logically, if you have something ready to eat, you eat it. If not, you make it.

[MrMistery]

Ocam's raison, Ozge: if your professor does not agree with me, then he is wrong
On a more serious note, you need to take a closer look at your logic: what is more simple, and demands less energy: just standing there and getting food from the sun, or having to move around, eat stuff that you need to digest first etc...
I think this time i am right as oposed to your professor....