Hello my fellow eukaryotes! My name is Amedeo and I am an Amoeba proteus. In this blog, I am going to take you on a vivid journey through my life and show you some amazing microscopic wonders. Before we begin, it is important to know that I belong to the order Amoebida and the class Rhizopoda. Not to brag, but I am a also proud protozoan.
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| My beautiful home |
My current pond is absolutely perfect! The water is fresh, slow moving, shallow, clear, and not in direct sunlight.
You and I
Unlike some other members of my family, I am harmless to Homo sapiens like you! Sadly, my friendly demeanour has made me a favorite specimen in research and lab activities.
O how I wish I had the complex internal systems you humans have. For me, gas exchange happens across my cell membrane through a process called diffusion. When it comes to circulation, I don't have a heart and other organs. Instead, I have organelles. These tiny “organs” float around in the inner part of my body and allow me to perform basic functions and survive.
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Me catching my food |
Feeding Time!
I LOVE to eat anything smaller than myself. This morning, I was in the mood for some bacteria and algae. For dinner, I plan to engulf some voritcella and ciliate! Of course I have to catch it first. When my food is within range, I extend pseudopods (feet like structures) and form myself around my meal. Tonight we feast!
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Only good things are welcome! |
Digestion and Metabolism
How did I digest the algae I ate this morning? After I trapped the unfortunate victim in my food cup, I moved it to the center of my body. There, enzymes broke it down. After the healthy parts of the food were absorbed by my membrane, the indigestible parts were expelled.
Gas Exchange and Circulation
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How diffusion works |
My Little Life Cycle
The worst part about being an amoeba is that my life is really short. I only last around two days, during which I eat, grow big, and have fun!
After two days, I am ready to reproduce. Sadly, that will be the final thing I do. :(
Who Needs Sex?
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The glorious moment of my birth! |
Unlike you, I do not need a mate to reproduce! I simply divide into two smaller amoebae! This process is called "fission". When the time comes for me to split, my chromosomes line up on both sides of my nucleus. Then, my nucleus is pulled in two. Hopefully, the two new amoebae end up with the right genetics. Finally, my whole body completely splits into two parts.
O my Golgi bodies! Time past so fast when you’re having fun! It seemed like yesterday when I separated from my mom...wait...it was yesterday. Well, I wish I could spend more time with you, but it’s time for me to prepare myself for fission!
