Exercise 3 The Amoebozoa I.

Introduction: The members of this group are characterized as having an amorphous body with the ability to move by means of an internal cytoplasmic flow. The cytoplasm is composed of various layers with different densities forming the ectoplasm and endoplasm. One or several blunt finger-like may arise from the cells surface called pseudopodia that the organism use to bring in food via phagocytosis. Majority of the species are naked, however some forms an outer encasement or test. A few possess one or more flagella during certain stages during its life cycle. The formation of cyst was observed during conditions when food becomes scarce. Many are small about 10 to 20 m in size however some species grow large enough to be visible with the naked eye. The common names given of the members of this groups are the naked amoeboids, arcellanids, xenophyophoreans, pelobiontids and slime molds. II. Objectives 1. 2. 3. 4. To To To To identify the members of this group of protozoa and the different form they exhibit. differentiate the naked amoeboids from the shelled amoeboids. differentiate the vegetative form and cyst form of some amoeboid species. identify amoeboid species with one or more flagella.

III. Methodology: The Gymnamoebae The members are naked possessing a ramicristate mitochondria that are branching and tubular. While most species are free-living with lobose pseudopodia, some are obligate parasite of humans and animals. There are no flagellated stages in their life cycle. 1. The Amoeba sp. cytoplasm is generally subdivided into the endoplasm and the entoplasm layer. The former being the outer cytoplasmic layer, thin and nongranulated and the later being central and granulated. Focus a slide and identify the mentioned layers and the organelles suspended in them. Look at the different types of vacuoles in the cytoplasm. How does cytoplasmic movement cause motility? What is the significance of the hyaline cap with regards to movement?

Figure 1. An Amoeba sp. cell 2. The organism Arcella sp. is an amoeboid organism capable of producing a lime encasement almost encompassing the whole organism. View a preserved slide and draw a typical cell. What are the functions of the encasement? 1

Figure 2. An Arcella sp. cell with lime encasement 3. The organism responsible for amoebic dysentery is the Entamoeba histolytica. The presence of trophozoites or cysts in fecal matter indicates positive infection. The trophozoites are globose to elongate in shape with 1-4 vesicular nuclei. While the cyst are circular with a thickened opaque wall with a similar number of nuclei. View a preserve slide and observe under OIO. Draw several specimens at different stages and label the parts.

Figure 3a. Entamoeba histolytica trophozoite

Figure 3b. Entamoeba histolytica cyst 4. The pelobiontids are species of amoeboids possess one or more flagella with functional pseudopodia. None possess a mitochondria nor golgi bodies. Draw an illustration of either a Mastigamoeba sp. or Pelomyxa sp..

Figure 4. Flagellated Amoeboid 5. The slime molds are a group of organisms belonging to the Phylum Mycetazoa. The amoeboid form of this organism is one part in the many stages in the life cycle of the organism. It is because of this that our system of taxonomy that is based on fixed forms cannot clearly classify this unique organism. Draw a life cycle of a life cycle of a Prostelium sp., Echinostelium sp. or Dictyostelium sp. and compare the body forms and their behavior during each stage of the life cycle.

Last edited: June 2008

Figure 4. Life cycle of a slime mold