Amoeba Feeds

Amoeba (sometimes amœba or ameba, plural amoebae) is a genus of protozoa that moves by means of pseudopods, and is well-known as a representative unicellular organism. The word amoeba or ameba is variously used to refer to it and its close relatives, now grouped as the Amoebozoa, or to all protozoa that move using ,pseudopods, otherwise termed amoeboids. The amoeba was first discovered by August Johann Rösel von Rosenhof in 1755. Early naturalists referred to Amoeba as the Proteus animalcule after the Greek god Proteus who could change his shape. The name "amibe" was given to it by Bery St. Vincent, from the Greek amoibè, meaning change.

Feeding

1. Amoeba extends pseudopodia in vicinity of food.
   
2. Pseudopodia surround prey.
   
3. Prey is now completely engulfed in a Food Vacuole.
   
4. Food vacuole moves towards the rear end (uroid) of the amoeba.
   
5. Water is extracted from the Food Vacuole and digestive enzymes are added.
   
6. Finally, the undigested material is ejected at the cell surface.

Amoeba itself is found in decaying vegetation in fresh and salt water, wet soil, and animals. Due to the ease with which they may be obtained and kept alive, they are common objects of study as representative protozoa and to demonstrate cell structure and function.