Paramecium

Taking a rather unconventional view of genetics, this book explores how to use paramecium as a basis for studying complex cells. It describes the morphology, reproduction, and life cycle stages of paramecium and outlines methods for studying genetic processes, such as Mendelian, caryonidal, and cytoplasmic transmissions. The authors offer detailed accounts of bygone hypotheses, such as the plasmagene and metagon hypotheses, and examine epigenetic mechanisms in antigenic expression and cortical inheritances. They also explore interesting new work on ciliate genetics, including a gene cloning method via functional complementation and homology-dependent inheritance.