03. Protista: radiolarian (spumellaria, nasselaria)
Electron microscopy

The picture shows the shell of a radiolarian. Radiolaria are single-celled protozoans that are found in marine plankton. This radiolarian has a silicate skeleton with pores through which pseudopodia (false feet, not seen) of protoplasm project.

As the animal floats in ocean currents, the pseudopodia trap food particles on which the radiolarian feeds. Coloured scanning electron micrograph, Magnification x200 , x360, x330, x630, x200 and x1100.