What is the difference between amoeba and protozoa

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Prokaryotes, on the other hand, are basic single-celled organisms, such as bacteria and archaea. Amoebas are eukaryotes. Their single cells, like those of other eukaryotes, possess certain characteristic features: Their cytoplasm and cellular contents are enclosed within a cell membrane, and their DNA is packaged into a central cellular compartment called the nucleus, according to a research article published in the journal BMC Biology.

In addition, they contain specialized structures called organelles, which perform a range of cellular functions including energy production and protein transport.

Most of these organelles are common to all eukaryotic cells, but there are a few exceptions. For example, the parasitic amoebas Entamoeba histolytica, which cause amoebic dysentery in humans, do not have the golgi apparatus, the organelle responsible for modifying and transporting proteins, according to a study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. Researchers found that Entamoeba histolytica instead contain golgi-like compartments or vesicles that execute similar functions.

According to a review published in the journal Biochemie , these organisms without mitochondria can contain organelles such as hydrogenosomes or mitosomes, which are related to mitochondria but are thought to be highly altered versions. This is the case for Entamoeba histolytica and the free-living amoebas Mastigamoeba balamuthi.

Structurally, amoebas closely resemble the cells of higher organisms. Like our white blood cells, amoebas move using pseudopodia which translates to "false feet" from Latin. These short-lived outward projections of the cytoplasm help amoebas to grip a surface and propel themselves forward.

According to Maciver, as the pseudopodium moves out along a surface in one direction, the back end of the amoeba contracts.

This movement — using pseudopodia — is a characteristic that unites various amoebas and distinguishes them from other protists simple eukaryotic organisms like amoebas that are not plants, animals or fungi. There are four different types of pseudopodia seen among amoebas: filopodia, lobopodia, rhizopodia and axopodia, according to Human Parasitology.

The most common form of parasitic amoebas are lobopodia which are broad, blunt cytoplasmic projections, while other pseudopodia, such as filopodia, are thin, thread-like projections.

Other pseudopods are supported by structural elements known as microtubules, which are responsible for executing cell movements. Rhizopodia, also known as reticulopodia, are thin filament-like projections that mesh together, and axopodia are rigid and strengthened by an array of microbular structures called axonemes, according to Ecology and Classification of Northern American Freshwater Invertebrates. Related: Robert Hooke: English scientist who discovered the cell.

Amoebas can also use pseudopodia to feed. A article published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology gives the example of the soil-dwelling amoebas, Acanthamoeba castellanii , which ingest both solids and liquids using their pseudopodia. The process of ingesting solid material is called phagocytosis.

He explained that amoebas have receptors on their cell surface that bind to bacteria, which are gathered and taken into amoebas by phagocytosis, usually at the rear of the cell. In the case of giant amoebas for example, Amoeba proteus , the process of phagocytosis is slightly different, according to Maciver. Giant amoebae engulf their prey "by the willful gathering of pseudopods around the bacteria. Animal Species for Developmental Studies pp Cite as. When evaluating the perspectives of using Protozoa in developmental biology one should remember that this group comprises organisms with a cellular level of organization.

Morphogenesis, regeneration, differentiation, and control of genetic apparatus, all phenomena which are of great interest to developmental biologists, may be observed in Protozoa in a manner no less impressive than in higher multicellular organisms, although they take place at the level of an individual cell. Protozoa are often more suitable and less expensive than the cells of higher animals for studying these phenomena.

One should not forget, however, that Protozoa are not just cells but individual living organisms, too. Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF. Skip to main content. This service is more advanced with JavaScript available. Advertisement Hide. Amoeba and Other Protozoa.

Authors Authors and affiliations A. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves. This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access. Google Scholar. Aldrich and J. Daniel eds. Bonner, The Cellular Slime Molds 2nd edn. Bovee and T.

Jeon ed. Buetow ed. Cappuccinelli and J. Ashworth eds. Carlsberg 31 , 77—92 Chatterjee and M. Cell Res. Comandon and de P.

Paris , — Dove, S. Hatano, J.