What is Amoeba?
[[File:Amoeba (PSF).png|thumb|230px|Diagram of amoeba structure]] '''''Amoeba''''' (plural = amoebae) is a well known [[genus]] of [[unicellular organism]], a [[protist]]. One of its most common [[species]], the '''''Amoeba Proteus''''', is about 0.2 to 0.3&nbsp;mm large. The amoeba was first discovered by August Von Rosenhof in 1757.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Leidy | first = Joseph | title = Amoeba proteus | journal = The American Naturalist | volume = 12 | issue = 4 | year = 1878 | pages = 235–238 | jstor=2463786 | doi = 10.1086/272082| s2cid = 222321758 | url = https://zenodo.org/record/1431317 }}</ref> It is a [[genus]] of [[protozoa]] that moves with ''false feet'', called [[pseudopodia]]. The amoeba is a member of a whole group of amoeboid [[eukaryota|eukaryotic]] protists called [[Amoebozoa]]. They are [[heterotroph]]s, eating [[bacteria]] and other protists. The pseudopodia (false feet) are extensions of the organism's [[cell membrane]]. They are used by the amoeba for [[phagocytosis]] (active food/nutrient intake) and [[motility]] (self-propelled movement). == Life == Amoebae are often found within [[freshwater]], typically on [[vegetation]] in [[decay]] in still or slow moving water, or in the [[benthic]] zone (the [[flora]] and [[fauna]] found at the bottom of the [[sea]] or [[lake]] ) of some lakes. However, they are common organisms of study because it is easy to keep them in a [[laboratory]]. They are used to study sex ''[[protozoa]]'' and to demonstrate [[Cell (biology)|cell]] structure and function. == Other websites == * [[b:en:Biology Cell biology Introduction Cell size|Wikibooks: compare size of cells]] * [http://www.factmonster.com/ce6/sci/A0803647.html Amoeba info] == References == {{Reflist}} {{-}} {{biology-stub}} [[Category:Protozoa]]