Euglena gracilis

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domain Eukaryota Euglena gracilis is a species of the genus Euglena. It feeds by photosynthesis using a secondary chloroplast, or by heterotrophy through phagocytosis. A flexible cell surface allows it to change shape from thin cells 100 µm long to spheres of 20 µm. There are 2 flagella located at the front of the cell, but only the one that emerges is used for swimming. A red eyespot filters sunlight allowing only certain wavelengths to reach the light detecting structure at the base of the flagellum, aiding in phototaxis. This species has been used extensively in the laboratory as a model organism for studying cell biology and biochemistry.

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kingdom Protista
supergroup Excavata
phylum Euglenozoa
class Euglenoidea
order Euglenales
family Euglenaceae
genus Euglena
species E. gracilis