Amoeba
An amoeba is a unicellular organism belonging to the protozoa type. An amoeba moves using pseudopodia (false feet) and feeds by phagocytosis, capturing food particles with pseudopodia and digesting them in food vacuoles. Amoebas reproduce asexually, usually by cell division. They inhabit aquatic environments, moist soil, and sometimes other living organisms. Some species of amoebas can be pathogenic to humans, causing diseases such as amoebiasis.
Did you know that...
01
More than 1000 varieties
There are over 1000 types of amoebas.
02
1 mm per minute
The movement speed of amoebas is about 1 mm per minute.
03
up to 2 millimeters
Large amoebas can reach sizes of up to 2 millimeters, making them visible to the naked eye.
04
600 million years
Amoebas are among the oldest creatures on the planet, existing for over 600 million years.
05
10 bacteria per hour
They consume up to 10 bacteria per hour.
Structure and functions of microorganisms
Nucleus
Contains the genetic material of the amoeba. It regulates the life processes of the cell, including reproduction through division.
Digestive Vacuole
Forms during the process of phagocytosis, when the amoeba surrounds and captures food particles using pseudopodia. Inside the vacuole, the breakdown of food particles occurs with the help of enzymes.
Contractile Vacuole
A specialized organelle involved in regulating the osmotic pressure inside the cell. It accumulates excess water from the cytoplasm and periodically expels it outward.
Pseudopodia
Temporary protrusions of the cytoplasm, used for movement and capturing food. Pseudopodia are formed by the flow of cytoplasm and facilitate amoeboid movement.
Plasma Membrane
A flexible membrane surrounding the cytoplasm of the cell. It regulates the exchange of substances between the cell and its environment and participates in amoeboid movement.
Uroid
A specialized organelle of amoebae located at the rear part of the cell. It participates in the regulation and excretion of metabolic products and external pollutants from the cell. During the movement of the amoeba, the uroid assists in the elimination of toxic substances, thus providing protection and maintaining the internal homeostasis of the amoeba.
