Encystment in Euglena is a protective mechanism adopted by the organism in response to unfavorable environmental conditions. When conditions become unfavorable, such as scarcity of nutrients or desiccation, Euglena can form a protective cyst or dormant stage to survive the harsh conditions.
- The encystment of Euglena takes place as a protective measure.
- It takes place to tide over unfavorable conditions such as lack of food, lack of oxygen, drought, excessive heat, etc.
- A cyst wall is secreted in the form of a thick, spherical, yellowish brown, and gelatinous covering, composed of a special carbohydrate.
- The thickness of the cyst wall may vary in different species.
- The encysted animal not only successfully withstands the adverse conditions of life, but also enjoys a far and wide dispersal.
- The animals become active and emerge from the cyst when the conditions become favorable.
- After emerging from the cyst, they resume their normal free-swimming life.
- The individuals may undergo a single or several divisions in the cyst and this stage is called the palmella stage.
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Read More:
- Reproduction of Euglena | Binary Fission, Multiple Fission & Encystment | Diagram
- Locomotion (Movement) and Nutrition of Euglena | Diagram
- Structure of Euglena with Labeled Diagram
- General Characters of All Phylum of The Invertebrates.