Which cellular projection is used for movement and feeding in amoeboid cells?

Which cellular projection is used for movement and feeding in amoeboid cells?

• A. Cilia
• B. Pseudopodia
• C. Flagella
• D. Microvilli

Answer: (B)

Movement and feeding in amoeboid cells come from temporary cytoplasmic extensions called pseudopodia. These protrusions are built by rapid actin polymerization beneath the cell membrane, pushing the membrane outward to form a lobe that can grip the surface. As the pseudopodium anchors, the cell’s body contracts and streams forward, producing crawling movement. For feeding, the same projections surround and engulf prey in a process called phagocytosis, pulling the particle into the cell where it’s enclosed in a vesicle. Other projections serve different roles but don’t drive amoeboid locomotion and phagocytosis in the same way. Cilia beat to move fluid or the cell, flagella propel the cell through its environment, and microvilli increase surface area for absorption rather than enabling active crawling or engulfment.

Movement and feeding in amoeboid cells come from temporary cytoplasmic extensions called pseudopodia. These protrusions are built by rapid actin polymerization beneath the cell membrane, pushing the membrane outward to form a lobe that can grip the surface. As the pseudopodium anchors, the cell’s body contracts and streams forward, producing crawling movement. For feeding, the same projections surround and engulf prey in a process called phagocytosis, pulling the particle into the cell where it’s enclosed in a vesicle.

Other projections serve different roles but don’t drive amoeboid locomotion and phagocytosis in the same way. Cilia beat to move fluid or the cell, flagella propel the cell through its environment, and microvilli increase surface area for absorption rather than enabling active crawling or engulfment.