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Amoeba

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  • 3D model depicting an amoeba

Overview

  • Amoeba is a unicellular microorganism that belongs to the kingdom Protista. It lives in water, wetlands, rotten things, and in the body of other organisms as a parasite. The shape of amoeba changes constantly, and hence, it does not have a particular shape. It moves and catches its food with the help of its false feet called pseudopodia. Its single-celled body is able to perform all the life processes to keep it alive.
  • There are different species of amoeba. Among them, Entamoeba histolytica is a parasite. It lives in the intestine of human beings and causes a disease called amoebiasis. Acanthamoeba causes amoebic encephalitis. Another species named Naegleria fowler lives in water; however, it causes a serious disease when it enters the human body. It damages the brain of the affected person.
  • Some forms of amoeba are beneficial to human beings. Since they feed on bacteria, they help control the growth and spread of bacteria.
  • Our touchable model takes us on an adventure exploring the small worlds of amoeba. This model acts as your guide to understanding amoeba and its contents, and it’s fascinating and fun for students in grades 8-10 who are diving into the term amoeba.
  • Model Description:
  • Typically, most amoebas are characterized by the following features:
  • 1. Movement occurs through the use of pseudopodia, where the cytoplasm pushes the plasma membrane outward or inward, creating blunt, finger-like projections.
  • 2. There can be multiple pseudopodia at one particular instance, hence, its shape rapidly changes.
  • 3. The structure of amoeba primarily encompasses 3 parts – the cytoplasm, plasma membrane, and the nucleus.
  • 4. The cytoplasm can be differentiated into 2 layers – the outer ectoplasm and the inner endoplasm
  • 5. The plasma membrane is a very thin, double-layered membrane composed of protein and lipid molecules.
  • 6. Amoeba also contains other cellular organelles such as a contractile vacuole, mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, and fat globules.
  • 7. Amoeba consumes food either through the process of phagocytosis or pinocytosis.
  • 8. The process of reproduction is through asexual means, such as binary fission.
  • 9. The lifespan of a typical amoeba is 2 days, but because it undergoes binary fission, the resultant daughter cells are the same as its parent cell, so technically, amoebas can be termed as immortal.
  • 10. When living conditions are not ideal, an amoeba can essentially transform itself into a protective ball, called a microbial cyst. When living conditions become better, it can revert to its trophozoite stage, where it can start feeding again.

Walkthrough

  • 1. Uncover the amoeba model like a book for exploration.
  • 2. You will find two identical models of amoebas: the left side representing the index and the right side representing the actual model.
  • 3. Place your hand on the left side model and find the labeled index structure on the top left side.
  • 4. Locate the labeling “Amoeba” at the top center of the index model.
  • 5. On the left side model, find and explore the ectoplasm structure right beside its labeling on the index.
  • 6. Identify ectoplasm structure all over the border side of the model.
  • 7. On the index, locate and explore the labeled structure of the plasmagel placed below the Ectoplasm.
  • 8. Explore the model to find the plasmagel structure positioned right after the ectoplasm.
  • 9. On the index, locate and explore the labeled structure of the contractile vacuole placed below the plasmagel.
  • 10. Explore and identify the contractile Vacuole placed on the bottom section of the left part of the model.
  • 11. On the index, locate and explore the labeled structure of the water vacuole placed right below the contractile vacuole.
  • 12. The water vacuole is placed all over the model on the right side.
  • 13. On the index, locate and explore the labeled structure of the food vacuole, placed slightly right side of the ectoplasm.
  • 14. Find and explore the food vacuole structure which is placed on the upper section of the left part of the model.
  • 15. Now, just on top of the food vacuole, identify three random shapes made up of clay representing contents inside the food vacuole.
  • 16. On the index, locate and explore the labeled structure of uroid placed below the food vacuole.
  • 17. On the model, find and explore the uroid structure which is placed on the bottom section of the left part of the model beside the contractile vacuole.
  • 18. Locate and explore the labeled structure of the nucleus on the index, which is placed below the uroid.
  • 19. On the model the nucleus is placed on the upper section of the middle portion slightly right to the food vacuole.
  • 20. Thus, these different cellular components together make the Amoeba.

Source
Project Wings to Dreams

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