Amoeboid movement
Amoeboid Movement
Amoeboid movement is a mode of locomotion used by amoeba and other protists. This movement is characterized by the formation and retraction of pseudopodia.
Pronunciation
Amoeboid movement is pronounced as /əˈmiːbɔɪd ˈmuːvmənt/.
Etymology
The term "amoeboid movement" is derived from the Greek word "amoibe", meaning change. This refers to the constant change in shape that characterizes amoebas and their movement.
Description
Amoeboid movement is a common mode of locomotion used by cells and organisms that lack flagella or cilia. This type of movement is characterized by the extension and retraction of pseudopodia, which are temporary protrusions of the cell's cytoplasm. The cell extends a pseudopod towards the direction of movement, and the rest of the cell's body then flows into the pseudopod.
Mechanism
The mechanism of amoeboid movement involves the coordinated activity of the cell's cytoskeleton, plasma membrane, and motor proteins. The cytoskeleton, composed of actin filaments and microtubules, provides the structural framework for the formation of pseudopodia. The plasma membrane, on the other hand, is responsible for the cell's shape and flexibility. Motor proteins, such as myosin, interact with the actin filaments to generate the forces necessary for movement.
Related Terms
- Amoeba: A type of cell or organism which has the ability to alter its shape, primarily by extending and retracting pseudopodia.
- Pseudopodia: Temporary protrusions of the cell's cytoplasm, which are involved in amoeboid movement.
- Cytoskeleton: A complex network of interlinking filaments and tubules that extend throughout the cytoplasm, providing the necessary support for the cell.
- Actin: A protein that forms microfilaments, which are part of the cell's cytoskeleton.
- Myosin: A type of motor protein that interacts with actin to generate the forces necessary for cell movement.
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