Dictionary > Amoeboid movement

Amoeboid movement

Definition
noun
A crawling-like type of movement in which the cell forms temporary cytoplasmic projections called pseudopodia (false feet) towards the front of the cell.
Supplement
This type of movement is observed in amoebae (e.g. Amoeba proteus). Their cytoplasm consists of plasmasol (central fluid) surrounded by a more viscous plasmagel. The plasmagel is converted to plasmasol causing the cytoplasm to slide and form a pseudopodium in front to move the cell forward.
Cells that move this way are referred to as amoeboids. Apart from amoeba, other examples are cellular slime moulds (e.g. Dictyostelium discoideum), and human cells, particularly Kupffer cells of liver, monocytes, neutrophils, macrophages, and cancerous cells.
See also: pseudopodia, amoeboid.

Last updated on January 18th, 2021

You will also like...

squirrel
Animal Water Regulation

Animals adapt to their environment in aspects of anatomy, physiology, and behavior. This tutorial will help you understa..

Plant Water Regulation
Plant Water Regulation

Plants need to regulate water in order to stay upright and structurally stable. Find out the different evolutionary adap..

Water Cycle
The Water Cycle

The water cycle (also referred to as the hydrological cycle) is a system of continuous transfer of water from the air, s..

Adaptation Tutorial
Adaptation Tutorial

Adaptation, in biology and ecology, refers to the process or trait through which organisms or the populations in a habit..

Plant biology
Plant Biology

Plantlife can be studied at a variety of levels, from the molecular, genetic and biochemical level through organelles, c..

Early Earth
The Origins of Life

This tutorial digs into the past to investigate the origins of life. The section is split into geological periods in the..

Related Articles...

No related articles found

See all Related Topics