Microbe of the month
- ARTIS-Micropia
Each month at ARTIS-Micropia, a special microbe is featured. It’s only on display for that month, so be sure not to miss it!
Which microbe is on display this month?
In microbiology, everything is classified into groups. Algae are microscopic plants, and micro-animals are microscopic animals. But there is one organism that scientists still debate: is it an alga or a micro-animal? Euglena gracilis displays features of both. Like a plant, this microbe has chloroplasts. But like an animal, it can also ingest and digest cells.
At present, Euglena is classified as an alga, because it does not have distinct organs. However, the debate is far from settled.
This month only, you can observe this microbe up close as the Microbe of the Month. What do you think? Is it more of a plant or an animal?