Pseudopodia in Amoeba

Introduction:
Amoeba is a single-celled organism belonging to the phylum Protozoa. It is a eukaryotic organism that moves and captures food using pseudopodia. Pseudopodia are temporary cytoplasmic projections that aid in locomotion and feeding.

Pseudopodia:
Pseudopodia are cellular extensions that can be formed in various shapes like lobes, finger-like projections, or even network-like structures. These extensions are formed by the flowing movement of the cytoplasm, allowing Amoeba to move and change its shape. The formation of pseudopodia is facilitated by the protein actin, which helps in the extension and retraction of these projections.

Functions of Pseudopodia:
1. Locomotion: Pseudopodia enable Amoeba to move in its environment. By extending pseudopodia in the direction of movement, Amoeba can push itself forward. Once the pseudopodia are extended, the rest of the cell follows, resulting in locomotion.

2. Feeding: Pseudopodia also play a crucial role in capturing and engulfing food. When Amoeba encounters a food particle, it extends its pseudopodia around the prey, forming a temporary food vacuole. The pseudopodia then retract, bringing the food particle into the cell for digestion.

3. Sensing the environment: Amoeba uses its pseudopodia to sense changes in its environment. By extending pseudopodia in different directions, it can explore its surroundings and detect the presence of food, predators, or potential mates.

Comparison with other organisms:
a) Legs in cockroach: Cockroaches have six legs, which are specialized for walking and climbing. Unlike pseudopodia in Amoeba, cockroach legs are rigid and jointed structures.

b) Teeth in rabbit: Rabbits have specialized teeth, including incisors and molars, which are adapted for chewing and grinding plant material. Teeth are not present in Amoeba.

c) Suckers in tapeworm: Tapeworms have specialized suckers and hooks on their body surface, which assist them in attaching to the host's intestinal wall. Amoeba does not possess suckers.

d) Spicules in leucosolenia: Leucosolenia is a type of sponge that possesses spicules, which are small, needle-like structures made of calcium carbonate or silica. Amoeba does not have spicules.

In conclusion, the correct option is A) Legs in cockroach. Pseudopodia are temporary cytoplasmic projections that aid in locomotion and feeding in Amoeba, distinguishing it from the other organisms mentioned.