Pseudopod
Pseudopod
Pseudopod (pronunciation: /ˈsjuːdəʊpɒd/), also known as pseudopodium (plural: pseudopodia), is a temporary protrusion of the surface of an amoeboid cell for movement and feeding. The term is derived from the Greek words 'pseudo' meaning false, and 'pod' meaning foot.
Etymology
The term "pseudopod" comes from the Greek words 'pseudo' (ψευδής), meaning false, and 'pod' (ποδός), meaning foot. It was first used in the late 19th century to describe the temporary, foot-like extensions in certain single-celled organisms.
Function
Pseudopods are key to the locomotion and feeding mechanisms of amoeba and other protozoa. They extend and contract through the reversible assembly of actin subunits into microfilaments. This process, known as cytoplasmic streaming, propels the cell forward.
Types of Pseudopods
There are several types of pseudopods, including:
- Lobopodia: These are large and blunt extensions of the cytoplasm. They are typically found in amoebae.
- Filopodia: These are thin, stiff protrusions. They contain a core of bundled actin filaments.
- Reticulopodia: These are complex, net-like extensions that can fuse together. They are typically found in Foraminifera.
- Axopodia: These are long, thin pseudopods supported by complex microtubule arrays. They are typically found in Radiolarians.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pseudopod
- Wikipedia's article - Pseudopod
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski