An amoeba is a protist and rhizopod microorganism.
Before entering fully into the exhaustive definition of amoeba , it is worth knowing its etymological origin. In this case, it must be stated that it is a term that comes from scientific Latin, specifically from amoeba . A word that, in turn, derives from the Greek amoibe , which can be translated as "transmutation" or "change."
An amoeba is a protozoan : a microscopic-sized organism that has a single cell or a set of cells that are identical to each other. In the specific case of the amoeba, it is a protist organism (it is eukaryotic but does not fall into the classification of animal, plant or fungus) and rhizopod (to move and feed, it emits pseudopodia).
There are multiple species of amoebas, which can live in moist soil, water or even animals (acting, in this case, as parasites ). The main characteristic of the amoeba is that, as it does not have a cell wall, its shape varies .
Characteristics of amoebas
Discovered in the mid- 18th century , amoebas can be easily obtained and stored. That is why its presence in laboratories for the development of research is frequent.
In its structure, you can see the nucleus , the cytoplasm (composed of endoplasm and ectoplasm) and various organelles . The pseudopodia that they emit are extensions of their cytoplasm, which are similar to tentacles. In addition to moving, these pseudopods allow them to capture their food and initiate phagocytosis .
Amoebas also have a contractile-type vacuole that serves to keep osmotic pressure stable. Through this vacuole, the amoeba captures the excess water in the cell and, from time to time, sends it to the outside through the cytoplasmic membrane.
There are different types of amoebas.
Its reproduction
To reproduce, amoebas resort to binary fission : their genetic material, through mitosis , is duplicated as the cell expands. The cytoplasm, in this process, undergoes a division and two cells emerge.
It is interesting to note that amoebas are considered to reproduce every minute.
Amoebas and dysentery
Among the best-known amoebas that generate the most controversy is the Up Amoeba, which is responsible for causing amoebic dysentery. This is a disease that manifests itself through vomiting, lesions in the liver and colon, as well as severe diarrhea.
It is important to know that the aforementioned dysentery is one of the most serious consequences of the best-known disease caused by amoebas, which is called amebiasis. This was discovered in the second half of the 19th century and is considered to be the third most deadly parasitic pathology, along with schistosomiasis and malaria.
It occurs because amoebas lodge in the large intestine, where they produce all types of ulcerations. It is also important to know that it is spread through contaminated hands, food and also water.
Bloody stools, severe abdominal pain and symptoms where constipation alternates with diarrhea are the main symptoms of amebiasis, which can be suffered for years.