Euglena+-+AC

= Introduction =

toc Global warming has confused scientists for decades now. The solution to global warming is a small green cell in your pond. This pond creature could stop a national cause. The creature is a **euglena**. Euglenas have a very unique structure to their body. Euglenas get their energy extremely differently than other living things. Euglenas have a function and their function is to survive. Euglenas are very crucial to the future for humans.

= What Is the Structure of a Euglena? =

Euglena are mostly one celled living things that are approximately 1/100 inch- 1/1000 inch long. Euglenas are a combination of plant and animal cells. They have chloroplasts, but they do not have a cell wall like most plant cells. Also, unlike plant cells Euglenas can move on their own. They do this with stringy **flagellum** that helps move and guide the euglena towards a light. The flagellum starts in a head like body part called the **reservoir**. The part of the flagellum that is inside the reservoir is split into two flagellums. At the end of the of the two split flagellums are two spherical **organelles** called **kinetosomes**. Organelles are are the different parts of a cell that specialize in a certain job. The flagellum is able to move because things called **sliding fibers**. These are inside the flagellum and the move from the top of the flagellum to the bottom. Right outside of the reservoir is an eyelike part called the **stigma**. The stigma additionally helps the the flagellum get the euglena to a light. Euglenas have a **nucleus** like most cells. The nucleus helps direct the different parts of the euglena. Euglenas have **chloroplasts** which are help the get food and are mostly found in plant cells. On the euglena’s body’s outside is the **pellicle**. It is made out of protein and it spins around the body

//Here is a diagram of a euglena n////otice where the flagellum splits// //into to parts and then becomes the kinetosomes.//



= How Do Euglenas Get Their Food? =

Euglenas are the Prius of organisms. Prius’ get their fuel (food/energy) by two ways. Either they’re filled up or they use the sunlight. Euglenas are the same way. For energy euglenas do one of two similar things. They either go out and eat their food (energy), like how a Prius goes out and fills up on gas, or they use the method **photosynthesis**. Photosynthesis is when plants use their chloroplasts to absorb sunlight and convert it into energy. You could say a euglena is a plant/animal cell combination because of its unique food finding ways. Euglenas eat **amoebas**, algae and, **paramecium**. Amoebas and paramecium are creatures similar to a euglena.

= What Is the Function of a Euglena? =

Euglenas don’t have certain function. Their function is to stay live make sure euglenas don't go extinct. They do that by being a part of all the different **characteristics that make up living things**. One characteristic that a euglena has is their ability to reproduce. Euglenas do it by splitting in half. This is called **mitosis** and for it to happen the temperature has to be right and the euglena has to be fed right. Another characteristic that euglenas have is that they have lifespan. A euglena is eaten by eastern lamb mussels, amoebas, paramecium, bullfrogs and, channel catfish. As you know euglenas move by their flagellum with the stigma helping to guide it, which is also another characteristic of life: euglenas have to move. Another characteristic of life that euglenas have is that they need energy. Euglenas, as you know, get energy from eating super small living things and photosynthesis. The last characteristic that euglenas have is that they are made up of cells and that’s true because euglenas are single celled organisms.

Here is a euglena being eaten by a Amoeba. This video is called "Euglena vs Amoeba." It was uploaded to YouTube by the channel damirepic. This video shows how euglenas have a lifespan. media type="youtube" key="TsrHDoEM2L4" width="420" height="315"

= How Do Euglenas Affect Humans? =

Euglenas are tiny but powerful. They could be a part to a better world. Kengo Suzuki, scientist and the founder of euglena company limited, wrote an article called Euglena, Sujiri Mojiri, he says in the article, “Euglena also has the potential to contribute in a great measure to the solution of the global warming problem. Euglena is capable of absorbing the ever-increasing carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere thanks to its outstanding photosynthesis efficiency…” This quote means that euglenas are the key to slow down global warming. This is because they can take in all of the gas. Euglenas could also help hunger issues. This is because they have a little less than 60 nutrients in their body. Some of those nutrients are all the nutrients needed in a human life. Euglenas have fiber in them, which is used in clothes. Euglenas will help us use less fossil fuels. Euglenas are also used in some ice cream recipes. Euglenas are the solution to better world

//Here is a chart to show the uses of euglenas. Notice how// //they can be used for fuels. This picture came from Kengo Suzuki's// //article. [|Click here for Suzuki's Article]//



= Conclusion =

Euglenas are the hybrid of plant and animal cells. Euglenas have stringy flagellum that helps them move. Euglenas have chloroplasts for energy and they eat other organisms. The different characteristics of living things can all be a part of a euglena’s life. Euglenas are very beneficial to humans. Euglenas could have a huge impact on the future for humans.

= Reference =

Balamuth, William. “Euglena.” Encyclopedia Americana. Grolier Online, 2016. Web. 23 Feb. 2016. Burnie, David. Microlife. New York: DK, 1997. Print. Inside Guides.

“Euglena.” FCPS. LFS Cultures, n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2016. < [|__http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/euglena.htm__] >.

Euglena vs Amoeba. YouTube. Youtube, 27 July 2011. Web. 3 Mar. 2016. < [|__https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsrHDoEM2L4__] >.

Jenner, Jan. From Bacteria to Plants. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education, 2005. Print. Prentice Hall Science Explorer 1.

Lipscomb, Diana L. “Euglena.” World Book Student. World Book, 2016. Web. 24 Feb. 2016. Suzuki, Kengo. “Euglena, Sujiri Mojiri.” The MIDORI Press. AEON Environmental Foundation, n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2016. < [|__http://www.midoripress-aeon.net/column/20141003_euglena_sujiri_mojiri.html__] >.