Light microscope footage of a single Paramecium caudatum ciliate. This clip shows the metachronal waves of the cilia towards the cytostome (the ciliate's mouth), which helps to waft its prey into it. It feeds mainly on bacteria, which are digested within temporary digestive vacuoles which float within the cell cytoplasm. The contractile vacuoles act as osmotic regulators, controlling the flow of water across the ciliate's membrane. Paramecium moves by the rhythmic beating of its many hair-like cilia. Filmed with differential interference contrast illumination. Captured field width: 0.4 millimetres.