How does amoeba obtain its food
Introduction:
Amoebas are single-celled organisms that belong to the group of protozoa. They are primarily found in freshwater, saltwater, and moist terrestrial environments. Amoebas obtain their food through a process called phagocytosis, which involves engulfing and digesting their prey.
Process of Phagocytosis:
Phagocytosis is a complex process that can be divided into several steps:
1. Chemotaxis: Amoebas use chemotaxis to detect the presence of food. They possess chemoreceptors on their cell membrane that allow them to sense chemical gradients. When they detect the presence of food, they move towards the source by extending their pseudopodia (temporary extensions of the cell membrane).
2. Engulfment: Once an amoeba reaches its food source, it extends its pseudopodia around the prey. The pseudopodia surround the food particle and fuse together, forming a food vacuole.
3. Formation of Food Vacuole: The food particle becomes enclosed within the food vacuole, which is essentially a membrane-bound compartment within the cytoplasm of the amoeba. The vacuole separates the ingested material from the rest of the cytoplasm.
4. Fusion with Lysosomes: After the food vacuole is formed, lysosomes fuse with it. Lysosomes contain digestive enzymes that break down the food particles into smaller molecules, such as amino acids, sugars, and fatty acids.
5. Digestion: The digestive enzymes present within the food vacuole begin to break down the food particles into simpler compounds. This process involves the hydrolysis of complex molecules into smaller units that can be readily absorbed by the amoeba.
6. Absorption: Once the food particles are broken down into smaller molecules, they are absorbed through the food vacuole membrane into the cytoplasm of the amoeba. The absorbed nutrients are then utilized for various cellular functions, such as energy production and growth.
7. Excretion of Waste: Any undigested or waste materials are eliminated from the amoeba's body through a process called exocytosis. The waste materials are expelled from the cell by fusing the membrane of the food vacuole with the cell membrane, releasing the waste outside the cell.
Conclusion:
Amoebas obtain their food through phagocytosis. They use chemotaxis to detect the presence of food and extend their pseudopodia to engulf the prey. The food is then enclosed within a food vacuole, where it is digested by lysosomal enzymes. The nutrients are absorbed into the cytoplasm, while waste materials are eliminated through exocytosis. This process allows amoebas to obtain the necessary nutrients for their survival and growth.
How does amoeba obtain its food
Amoeba is an unicellular organism which perform holozoic mode of nutrition it have no any organ to take food materials so it produce its body in form of pseudopodia when any food particle come in contact with its cells.
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed Class 9 study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in Class 9.