Life Cycle of an Amoeba

What is an Amoeba

Amoeba is an unicellular organism, implying that it is made up of only one cell. It belongs to the Protozoa genus. Being an unicellular organism, amoeba has a very distinct characteristics and life cycle, as compared to other living beings. Unicellular organisms that have characteristics very similar to amoeba are often classified as amoeboid. Most of these amoeba are not visible to naked eye and are as small as 700-800 micro meter. Some classes among amoeba, like the amoeba dubia, are visible to naked eye, if observed properly. The largest amoeba dubia can grow up to a millimeter.

Life Cycle of an Amoeba

The amoeba reproduces asexually. This process is very similar to that of cell division that takes place inside the body of organisms such as mammals who are made up of complex combination of cells and tissues, and are multicellular. The process by which amoeba is born, is known as mitosis or cytokinesis. In the process of mitosis, original cell, or in this case amoeba, gets divided into two cells. On the other hand in cytokinesis, the original cell is divided into three cells, i.e. the original cell and two daughter cells.

The amoeba is made up of same parts or organelles, like that of a normal cell. Being a single cell it is enclosed in a cell membrane. A cell membrane is capable of holding nucleus (brain like organ of amoeba that controls its actions), organelles (organs of amoeba) and cytoplasm (fluid within the cell membrane). A method known as phagocytosis, is used by the amoeba for locomotion, feeding and reproduction. During phagocytosis, amoeba changes its shape and reassembles itself. During feeding, the amoeba engulfs food and then disintegrates it within the cell membrane. Once the food has been enveloped, organelles known as vacuoles, do the task of digesting it and storing it. Locomotion and feeding done with the help of phagocytosis is aided by an organelle known as Pseudopod (Pseudopod), which are tiny filaments that fulfill the task of temporary projections. Use of Pseudopods, in biology is termed as 'Pseudopodia'.

The amoeba due to cell division can reproduce very quickly. Some geographical or atmospheric changes are capable of wiping out most of the living organisms. However, the unicellular organisms, like amoeba, survive the change due to their ability to reproduce at a faster rate. In hostile or dangerous situations, where natural conditions make survival difficult for the amoeba, it forms a protective covering around itself. The amoeba armored in protective covering around itself, is often termed as 'microbial cyst'. If the amoeba stays in microbial cyst stage for a long time, it may die due to lack of food and will also be incapable of reproducing.

The amoeba is a very important life form as it is the basis on which many more lives form, like tissues and organs. Without amoeba, evolution of other organisms would not be possible. In future, if geographical or atmospheric characteristics wipe out life-form from the earth (like in case of dinosaurs), then the amoeba will form the basis for life formation, which would evolve subsequently.