When discharged, a toxicyst expels a long, nonstriated filament with a rodlike tip, which paralyzes or kills other microorganisms; this filament is used to capture food and, presumably, in defense.

What is the purpose of trichocysts?

They are ejected in the form of long thin threads. The function of trichocysts is largely being studied and is thought to be of defensive nature against predators. This is especially true in the case of toxicysts. A toxicyst when discharged expels a non-striated long filament that bears a rodlike tip.

What is a Toxicyst?

toxicyst In certain protozoa, an organelle which resembles a trichocyst but in which the filament carries a poison that can kill other protozoa. Toxicysts are used for capturing prey.