Pseudopodia
Pseudopodia
Pseudopodia (pronunciation: soo-doh-POH-dee-uh) is a term derived from the Greek words 'pseudo', meaning false, and 'podia', meaning feet. It refers to temporary, foot-like extensions of a cell that are primarily involved in movement and feeding.
Definition
Pseudopodia are temporary projections of the cytoplasm that can extend and retract, allowing the cell to move or engulf food particles. They are characteristic of amoeboid cells, but can also be found in other types of cells.
Function
The primary function of pseudopodia is to enable cell movement, a process known as amoeboid movement. They can also be used to engulf food particles in a process known as phagocytosis. In addition, pseudopodia can be involved in cell adhesion and sensing the environment.
Types
There are several types of pseudopodia, including:
- Lobopodia: These are large, blunt extensions of the cell that are filled with granular cytoplasm.
- Filopodia: These are thin, pointed extensions of the cell that contain bundles of actin filaments.
- Reticulopodia: These are complex, net-like extensions of the cell.
- Axopodia: These are long, thin extensions of the cell that are supported by microtubules and are involved in capturing food particles.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pseudopodia
- Wikipedia's article - Pseudopodia
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