In: Biology
How do amoebae, paramecia and trichomonas move?
Amoeba is a unicellular organism having pseudopods, living in fresh and salt water. These pseudopods are actually the tentacle like extended protruberences that aid in locomotion as well as in catching preys. There have been many theories suggesting the locomotion in amoeba, out of which Sol & Gel theory is mostly acceptable. This theory is proposed by Hyman(1917), and later adopted by Pantin and then Mast. This theory is based on the reversible change of protoplasm from Sol to Gel state. The following four processes are involved:
1. Attachment of amoeba to the substratum.
2. Gelation of plasmasol at the anterior advancing pseudopodia.
3. Solation of the plasmagel at the posterior end and receding pseudopodia.
4. Contraction of the plasmagel tube at the posterior end to drive the plasmasol forwards.
Note: The plasmasol changes into plasmagel at anterior end, then the plasmagel tube extends forwards to the posterior end forming plasmasol. The plasmagel tube remaining intact at anterior end, drives the plasmasol forwards forming the PSEUDOPODIUM.
During the amoeba locomotion the, the elastic strength of plasmagel is highest at the sides, intermediate at posterior ends, and lowest at anterior.
Paramecium is a unicellular organism with oval shape dwelling in fresh waters. Their whole body is covered with fine protoplasmic cilia, that are arranged along the longitudnal rows and serve as the locomotive organ. The cilia beat in unison against the water in a particular direction, just like the oars in a boat.Paramecium generally thrusts itself forward in water, travelling in straight lines.
Trichomonas is a single tear drop shaped protist that is a vaginal parasite. For locomotion it uses its whip like flagella. It has four anterior and one posterior flagella.