noun
- a small defensive organelle found in certain protozoans that can discharge thread-like structures when stimulated
Usage: biology
Examples
- The paramecium uses its trichocysts to defend against predators.
- When threatened, the ciliate discharged its trichocysts rapidly.
- Trichocysts are visible under high magnification as small rod-shaped structures.
- The biology student observed trichocyst discharge in the microscope.
- Some protozoans have hundreds of trichocysts distributed across their surface.
- The trichocyst mechanism helps single-celled organisms survive in hostile environments.