cilia

Cilia are tiny, hair-like structures on the surface of some cells that help the cell move or move substances around it.

• Each cilium is very small, but there are usually many cilia together, beating in a coordinated way—like a crowd doing the same action in rhythm.
• In Paramecium, cilia act like little oars: by beating back and forth, they push water backward and help the organism swim forward.
• Cilia also help in feeding: their beating can create tiny water currents that sweep food particles toward the cell’s mouth-like opening.
• A helpful comparison: cilia are like the bristles of a toothbrush moving together to push water and tiny bits in a particular direction.
• Cilia are different from pseudopodia (used by Amoeba): pseudopodia are temporary “false feet,” while cilia are fixed structures that beat repeatedly.

So, cilia are a smart “built-in motor system” that helps some microorganisms move efficiently and gather food in their watery surroundings.