Metabolism

Here, we will contrast the metabolism process of a multicellular Gorilla Beringei (Mountain Gorilla), which is more complicated and has numerous membrane-bound organelles, with a ciliate protist, which is a unicellular organism.

Metabolism Process in a Ciliate Protist
• Many ciliates are filter feeders that generate water currents using special ciliary structures attached to the cytostome. A stream of water is forced up against a cilia-based membranelle by the coordinated beating of these ciliary structures.
• The membranelle acts as a collecting sieve, capturing food particles in the empty spaces between its cilia. When eating in this manner, ciliates are able to transfer a considerable amount of water in relation to their size.
• Other ciliates obtain their food in various ways because they do not have elaborate mouth cilia.
• A basket-like cytopharyngeal structure based on microtubules supports the complex cytostome and cytopharynx of the nassula. By grabbing the filament, twisting it like a hairpin, and pulling it into the cytopharynx, this species consumes filamentous algae.
(The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica 2024) 

(Fox , F. 2011)

• The protist envelops its prey, typically bacteria. It surrounds the bacteria with a food vacuole, a kind of “food storage compartment”.

• Toxins produced by the protist paralyse their victim. After being broken down, the food enters the protist’s cytoplasm through the vacuole.

(Harwood, J. and Wilkin, D. 2024) 

Ciliates, California Institute of Technology 2018)

Metabolism Process in a Gorilla Beringei Beringei

• The metabolism of the eastern gorilla, Gorilla beringei, is suitable for its size and diet, which is mostly herbivorous. Its metabolism is similar to other primates’ since it must digest a range of plant materials, such as bamboo, leaves, stems, and fruits.

• Because of their size and high energy requirements, these species’ metabolic rates are comparatively slow when compared to those of lower primates.

• Their enormous, complex gastrointestinal tract, which includes a big colon and cecum for fermentation activities, aids in the digestion of fibrous plant material. This makes it easier for gut microorganisms to break down tough plant fibres.

(Robbins, M. M., et al. 2011)

• Additionally, gorillas are renowned for their high baseline metabolic rate (BMR) and energy-efficient habits. Their diet is extremely low in calories, despite their size (adult males can weigh over 200 kg), thus they spend a lot of time eating, up to eight hours a day, in an effort to meet their nutritional needs. While carbohydrates supply the majority of the energy, plant-based proteins help in tissue formation and maintenance.

(Houghton, R. A. 2009)

• The eastern gorilla’s metabolism is directly influenced by its surroundings and level of exercise. Even though these primates are generally peaceful in the wild, they can become aggressive at times, particularly while protecting their territory or grazing. Their low energy usage is also reflected in their slow metabolism.

(Malenky, R. K., & Strier, K. B. 1995)

(Photography, S. 2016 Mountain Gorilla)

In conclusion, although the size and complexity of their metabolic systems varies greatly, both the ciliate protist and the gorilla (Gorilla beringei) participate in metabolic activities necessary for energy production. The multicellular gorilla has a highly developed system that incorporates aerobic respiration, intricate metabolic pathways, and organ-based control, whereas the ciliate protist depends on simpler, single-celled processes like fermentation or anaerobic respiration in some species. The adaptation strategies of various living forms within the biological hierarchy are reflected in the fact that both species transform nutrients into usable energy to maintain their cellular functioning and survival.

References:

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica (2024) Protozoan – Ingestion, digestion, nutrition Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica. Edited by A. Augustyn et al. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/science/protozoan/Mechanisms-of-food-ingestion (Accessed: 01 January 2025).

Fox, F. (2011) Category:Frontonia, Wikimedia Commons. Available at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Frontonia (Accessed: 07 January 2025).

Harwood, J. and Wilkin, D. (2024) Protist nutrition, Protist Nutrition. Available at: https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-middle-school-life-science-2.0/section/6.2/primary/lesson/protists-nutrition-ms-ls/ (Accessed: 01 January 2025).

Houghton, R. A. (2009). “Metabolism and nutrition in great apes.” Primate Biology 7(2): 52-60.

Malenky, R. K., & Strier, K. B. (1995). “Metabolism and feeding behavior in primates.” American Journal of Physical Anthropology 28: 5-20.

Photography, S. (2016) Mountain Gorilla. Available at: https://pt.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ficheiro:Mountain_gorilla_(Gorilla_beringei_beringei)_female_eating_root.jpg(Accessed: 07 January 2025).

Robbins, M. M., et al. (2011). “Gorilla behavior and ecology: An integrated approach.” Primates.

(“Ciliates.” Ciliates, California Institute of Technology, 2018)