# Membranelle

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**Membranelles** (also **membranellae**) are structures found around the mouth, or [cytostome](/source/Cytostome), in [ciliates](/source/Ciliate). They are typically arranged in series, to form an "adoral zone of membranelles", or AZM, on the left side of the buccal cavity (peristome).[1] The membranelles are made up of [kinetosomes](/source/Kinetosome) arranged in groups to make up *polykinetids*. The [cilia](/source/Cilia) which emerge from these structures appear to be fused and to function as a single membrane, which can be used to sweep particles of food into the cytostome, or for locomotion.[2]

## References

1. Lynn, Denis. The Ciliated Protozoa. Springer, 2008. p. 31. ISBN 978-1-4020-8238-2 e-ISBN 978-1-4020-8239-9

1. Kudo, Richard R. Protozoology. 4th ed. Charles C. Thomas, 1954. p. 59.

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