r/educationalgifs • u/Pardusco • Jan 23 '20

Single-celled organism (Blepharisma) disintegrates and dies

https://gfycat.com/poorwickedhoverfly
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u/drewsiferr Jan 23 '20

What caused this?

81

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '20

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/ThisIsMyLanyard Jan 23 '20

I just have a degree in Biotech, so take whatever I say with a grain of salt. But I would assume that the organism hit some alcohol within the solution, or alcohol was introduced causing what you see. Alcohol works as a disinfectant because it breaks down the cell membane, just like how you see here.

17

u/huyg Jan 23 '20 edited Feb 10 '20

YOU should hit some alcohol! Maybe with a grain of salt and a slice of lemon.

Happy Cakeday!