LORICA

Lorica

In biology, a lorica is a shell-like protective outer covering, often reinforced with sand grains and other particles that some protozoans and loricifera metazoans secrete. Usually it is tubular or conical in shape, with a loose case that is closed at one end. An example is the protozoan genus Stentor, in which the lorica is trumpet-shaped. In the tintinnids, the lorica is frequently transparent and is used as domicile. Halofolliculina corallasia has a lorica that is attached as an outer structure, and into which it retracts when disturbed.

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lorica

Noun

  1. A cuirass, originally of leather, afterward of plates of metal or horn sewed on linen or the like.
  2. Lute for protecting vessels from the fire.
  3. The protective case or shell of an infusorian or rotifer.


The above text is a snippet from Wiktionary: lorica
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

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