Pseudopodia

Pseudopods or pseudopodia (singular: pseudopodium) (from the Greek word ψευδοπόδια, ψευδός "fake, false" + πόδια "feet") are temporary projections of eukaryotic cells. Cells that possess this faculty are generally referred to as amoeboids. Pseudopodia extend and contract by the reversible assembly of actin subunits into microfilaments. Filaments near the cell's end interact with myosin which causes contraction. The pseudopodium extends itself until the actin reassembles itself into a network. This is how amoebas move, as well as some cells found in animals, such as white blood cells.

Reproduction

First, the cell surface extends a membrane process, a lamellipodium. Actin polymerizes, and, at its leading edge, the cell forms filaments that subsequently will blend into one another to form networks. It is supposed that actin polymerization is at the origin of the force propelling the cell forwards. Pseudopodia (which translates to "false feet") are temporary cytoplasm-filled projections of the cell wall that certain eukaryotic cells use for motion or for ingesting nutrients. Most cells with this capability are referred to as amoeboids. Generally several pseudopodia arise from the surface of the body (polypodial-Amoeba proteus) or a single pseudopodium may form on the surface of the body (monopodial-E.histolytica).

Pseudopodia are formed by microtubule and filament structures. The cell surface projects a membrane process called the lamellipodium, which is supported inside by filaments that form at the leading edge, turning into networks as they blend together. Cytoplasm flows into the lamelliopdium, forming the pseudopodia.

The functions of pseudopodia include locomotion and the capturing of prey. Pseudopodia are critical in sensing prey that can then be engulfed; the engulfing pseudopodia are called phagocytosis pseudopodia. A common example of this sort of amoeboid cell is the human white blood cell.

Pseudopodia don't all look like amorphous blobs; instead, they can be classified by their distinct appearances. Lobopodia are bulbous and amoebic. Filopodia are slender, sort of football shaped, and are supported largely by microfilaments. Reticulopodia are very complex and bear individual pseudopodia that form irregular nets. Axopodia are the phagocytosis type with long, thin pseudopods supported by complex, microtubule arrays enveloped with cytoplasm, and they respond rapidly to physical contact.

Morphology

Pseudopods can be classified into several varieties according to their appearance:

• Lobopodia are bulbous, short and blunt in form. They are very typical of Amoebozoa. These finger-like, tubular pseudopodia contain both ectoplasm and endoplasm.
• Filopodia are more slender and filiform with pointed ends, consisting mainly of ectoplasm. These formations are supported by microfilaments. This is observed in Euglypha and Lecithium.
• Reticulopodia,^[1] also known as reticulose pseudopods, are complex formations where individual pseudopods are blended together and form irregular nets. The primary function of reticulopodia, also known as myxopodia, is the ingestion of food, and the secondary function is locomotion. Reticulopods are typical of Foraminifera.
• Axopodia (also known as actinopodia) are thin pseudopods containing complex arrays of microtubules and are enveloped by cytoplasm. Axopodia are mostly responsible for phagocytosis by rapidly retracting in response to physical contacts. They are observed in radiolaria and heliozoa. This supposedly [citation or further research needed] takes a strain on the helix, for after the sensory action has occurred, it then later on dies. Principally, these pseudopodia are food collecting structures.

References

1. ^ http://www.eforams.icsr.agh.edu.pl/index.php/Reticulopodia