A Comparative Fixation Analysis of Tetrahymena Pyriformis Ultrastructure

The ciliate, Tetrahymena pyriformis, has been of major importance to scientific inquiry since its successful growth as axenic cultures in 1922 (Hill, 1972). The pear-shaped fresh water protozoan has been referred to as the “Escherichia coli” of the non-photosynthetic eukaryotes (Elliott, 1973), much more than the classical Paramecium. Tetrahvmena has been widely accepted as a research model for studies in genetics, biochemistry, endocrinology and toxicology. Cell and developmental biologists have enjoyed a lasting relationship with Tetrahvmena as a result of its remarkable resemblance in structure and function to a typical cell.