A specific structure in a single-celled organism.How the structure is involved in the survival of the organism?

Cell walls

What structure?

To answer this question, we need to identify a specific type of single-celled organism and discuss a structure found in it. Let's take the example of a paramecium, which is a common single-celled organism.

One important structure found in a paramecium is known as the contractile vacuole. This organelle assists in the survival of the organism by maintaining osmotic balance, i.e., regulating the water content within the cell.

If you're curious about how paramecia survive, it is important to note that they live in freshwater environments. In such environments, the surrounding water has a higher concentration of solutes (like salts) than the cytoplasm within the paramecium. As a result, water tends to move into the cell via osmosis, causing the cell to swell and potentially burst.

This is where the contractile vacuole comes into play. The contractile vacuole functions as a pump, expelling excess water from the cell. It collects and stores water from the cytoplasm, gradually filling up until it reaches a certain threshold. Once full, it contracts forcefully, expelling the accumulated water through a small pore in the cell membrane. By doing so, it helps maintain the proper water balance within the paramecium, preventing it from bursting or becoming over-diluted.

In summary, the function of the contractile vacuole in a paramecium is crucial for its survival in a freshwater environment. Through its pumping action, it regulates the water content inside the cell, preventing excessive swelling or bursting.