holdfast

Description:

Foaina (foe-een-a) is one of the trichomonad flagellates - mostly endobiotic with four flagella arising from a point near the front of the cell. Three flagella project to the side or forwards, and one is directed to the rear (lower left). Usually with several cytoskeletal structures, an axial axostyle made of microtubules which encloses the nucleus anteriorly, as well as a costa which often lies under one of the flagella. The axostyle projects from the posterior end of the cell and is adapted to form a holdfast which attaches the cell to a piece of debris. From the termite Cryptotermes. Phase contrast.