Particle aggregation and phagotrophy by Ochromonas

Summary Ochromonas danica creates a current with its flagella which forces fluid and particles to flow toward the front and over the sides of the phytoflagellate. It is able to aggregate particles including bacteria by this action, trap them at its surface, and engulf them. Aggregation and phagocytic activity requires live, metabolically active cells. This type of biological activity may permit O. danica and similar organisms to sample their environment and extract particles.Aided by grant GB 20825 from the National Science Foundation and 5-S05-RR-07064-06 from the National Institutes of Health.