Colpidium binary fission
A Colpidium at the top of this photomicrograph is undergoing binary fission, an asexual reproduction process common in ciliate protists where a single cell divides into two separate organisms. In the Colpidium studied here, fissioning was always transverse. A spirogyra filament is out of focus behind the fissioning cell. The specimen is from a spring next to the Dowagiac River. This sedimented specimen was centrifuged at RCF 400 g. No attempt was made to slow motion chemically or physically, thus a high ISO was required. The fusing cells do no appear to move as quickly as the normal cells.
Photographed using a Nikon MS inverted microscope in phase contrast at 400X original magnification with a Leica MIKAS 1/3X microscope camera adapter to a Sony NEX 5N. B&W conversion in AlienSkin Exposure using a green filter.
Colpidium binary fission
A Colpidium at the top of this photomicrograph is undergoing binary fission, an asexual reproduction process common in ciliate protists where a single cell divides into two separate organisms. In the Colpidium studied here, fissioning was always transverse. A spirogyra filament is out of focus behind the fissioning cell. The specimen is from a spring next to the Dowagiac River. This sedimented specimen was centrifuged at RCF 400 g. No attempt was made to slow motion chemically or physically, thus a high ISO was required. The fusing cells do no appear to move as quickly as the normal cells.
Photographed using a Nikon MS inverted microscope in phase contrast at 400X original magnification with a Leica MIKAS 1/3X microscope camera adapter to a Sony NEX 5N. B&W conversion in AlienSkin Exposure using a green filter.