PARTS OF AMOEBA:

The function of the various structures, just described, may

briefly be stated as follows:
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(i) The plasma lemma retains the protoplasm within the cell body. It is
permeable to water, oxygen and carbon dioxide,

(ii) The ectoplasm protects the more soft inner parts.

(iii) The endoplasm takes important part in movement by forming the

pseudopodia; it is the structure which includes the nucleus and the
vacuoles,

(iv) The nucleus regulates all the vital activities of the animalcule. It is
particularly concerned with reproduction,

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(v) The contractile vacuole is the organelle for respiration, excretion

and fluid-regulation,

(vi) The food vacuoles serve as temporary stomachs where food is

digested,

(vii) Water vacuoles along with the contractile vacuoles are

responsible for fluid regulation,

(viii) The various inclusions are either reserve food materials for
future use or excretory matter in the process of elimination,

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(ix) The pseudopodia are used for locomotion and for capture of their
prey. They are very sensitive and help the animal to avoid injurious
objects.
It will not be out of place to mention here the relative importance of
the nucleus and the cytoplasm. It is possible by micro dissection to
take out the nucleus from the cytoplasm. It has been observed in such
experiments that both the parts perish.

If on the other hand, an Amoeba is cut into two pieces, one-half

containing only cytoplasm and the other containing the nucleus as
well as a portion of the cytoplasm, then both the halves survive for a
time.

The part composed of only cytoplasm is soon exhausted and dies; but
the other part actively feeds, grows and leads a healthy life. This
proves that although the nucleus governs the various vital activities of
the cell body yet the nucleus and cytoplasm must function together.

LOCOMOTION:

The Amoeba moves from place to place by forming temporary finger-

like projections called pseudopodia. A pseudopodium may form at any
place upon the surface of the body. It appears as a blunt projection of
ectoplasm.
The speed of locomotion usually ranges from 0-5 to 5 micra per
second. In favourable condition the speed may be as high as 1 inch (25
mm.) per hour. It varies with the temperature, increasing slowly up to
a temperature of 30°C. Movement totally ceases at 33°C.

Nutrition Required by Amoeba Proteus:

The food of Amoeba consists of small algae and other actively moving
protozoa. The animal seems to have a choice in the selection of its
food. It is always attracted by the movement of its prey.

Reproduction in Amoeba Proteus:

Amoeba reproduces asexually by two different methods:
(1) Binary fission, and
(2) Multiple fission.

Binary fission is the usual mode of reproduction by which a full-grown

parent individual divides into two daughter Amoebae. During binary
fission, the Amoeba becomes spherical and is covered with small
pseudopodia

When water and food become scarce or when unfavourable

environment threatens with death, Amoeba reproduces by multiple
fission or sporulation. This, therefore, is a means for tiding over a
critical period in its life-history, and not a normal method of
reproduction. 

PARAMCIUM CAUDATUM
1.     Habit and Habitat

Paramecium has a worldwide distribution and is a free-living organism. It usually lives

in the stagnant water of pools, lakes, ditches, ponds, freshwater and slow flowing water
that is rich in decaying organic matter.

2.     Movement and Feeding

Its outer body is covered by the tiny hair-like structures called cilia. These cilia are in
constant motion and help it move with a speed that is four times its body’s length per
second. Just as the organism moves forward, rotating around its own axis, this further
helps it to push the food into the gullet. By reversing the motion of cilia, paramecium
can move in the reverse direction as well.

4.     Reproduction

Just like all the other ciliates, paramecium also consists of one or more diploid
micronuclei and a polypoid macronucleus hence containing a dual nuclear apparatus.

The function of the micronucleus is to maintain the genetic stability and making sure
that the desirable genes are passed to the next generation. It is also called the
germline or generative nucleus.

The macronucleus plays a role in non-reproductive cell functions including the

expression of genes needed for the everyday functioning of the cell.
Paramecium reproduces asexually through binary fusion. The micronuclei during
reproduction undergo mitosis while the macronuclei divide through amitosis. Each new
cell, in the end, contains a copy of macronuclei and micronuclei after the cell undergoes
a transverse division. Reproduction through binary fission may occur spontaneously.

It may also undergo autogamy (self-fertilization) under certain conditions. It may also
follow a sexual reproduction process in which there is an exchange of genetic material
because of mating between two paramecia who are compatible for mating through a
temporary fusion.

There is a meiotic division of the micronuclei during the conjugation which results in
haploid gametes and is further passed on from cell to cell. The old macronuclei are
destroyed and formation of a diploid micronuclei takes place when gametes of two
organisms fuse together.

Paramecium reproduces through conjugation and autogamy when conditions are not
favorable and there is a scarcity of food.

1. Habit and Habitat of Euglena Viridis:

Euglena viridis (Gr., eu = true; glene = eye-ball or eye-pupil; L., viridis
= green) is a common, solitary and free living freshwater flagellate. It
is found in freshwater pools, ponds, ditches and slowly running
streams. It is found in abundance where there is considerable amount
of vegetation.

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Ponds in the well maintained gardens containing decaying

nitrogenous organic matter, such as twigs, leaves and faces of animals,
etc., are good source of this organism. It generally lives with the other
species of the genus. They are sometimes so numerous as to give a
distinct greenish colour to the water or at times forming a green film
of scum on the surface of the pond water.

4. Locomotion in Euglena Viridis:

There are two methods of locomotion in Euglena Viridis,
viz,:
(i) Flagellar movement
(ii) Euglenoid movement

(i) Flagellar Movement:

Vickerman and Cox (1967) have suggested that the flagellum makes
direct contribution to locomotion. However, several theories have
been put forth to explain the mechanism of flagellar movement.
Butschli observed that the flagellum undergoes a series of lateral
movements and in doing so, a pressure is exerted on the water at right
angles to its surface.

(ii) Euglenoid Movement or Metaboly:

Euglena sometimes shows a very peculiar slow wriggling movements.
A peristaltic wave of contraction and expansion passes over the entire
body from the anterior to the posterior end and the animal moves
forward. The body becomes shorter and wider first at the anterior end,
then in the middle and later at the posterior end.

This type of movement is called euglenoid movement by which slow

and limited movement occurs. Euglenoid movements are g brought
about by the contractions of cytoplasm or by the contractions of
myonemes present in the cytoplasm below the pellicle.

5. Nutrition of Euglena Viridis:

The mode of nutrition in Euglena, is mixotrophic, i.e., the nutrition is
accomplished either by holophytic or saprophytic or by both the
modes.

9. Reproduction in Euglena Viridis:

Euglena Viridis reproduces asexually by longitudinal binary fission
and multiple fission. Encystment also takes place. Sexual reproduction
does not occur, although a primitive form of it is reported in some
species.