Posted 4-3-00

An amoeba is a type of single-celled organism (or protozoan) that is something of a shape-shifter. That's because it moves about by extending or projecting parts of its flexible body. These projections are called "false feet," or pseudopodia (sue-doe-podeea). These pseudopodia also enable or help a hungry amoeba to engulf or surround its prey, like smaller microorganisms or single-celled plants. Once its prey is surrounded, the amoeba secretes substances called enzymes to help digest its food.

Some species, like Amoeba proteus, make their home in rotting vegetation at the bottom of lakes and ponds, for example. Others live in soil. And some even live in the human digestive tract. When conditions aren't to the amoeba's liking, it forms a protective layer around itself called a "cyst."

-- Sci4Kids Staff.

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