Question

Choose the correct answer from the alternatives given below. Amoeba moves with the aid of:
a) Pseudo-plasmodia
b) Pseudopodia
c) Cilia
d) Flagella

Answer 1

Hint: Movement of an organism, defined as a change in the spatial location of the whole individual in time, is a fundamental characteristic of living organisms. Different organisms have different modes of movement. It may be ciliary, flagellar, amoeboid, muscular, etc. When movement leads to change in place of organism, it is termed as locomotion.

Complete Step by step answer:
Option (a) - Pseudoplasmodium: It is a multicellular uninucleate structure of the cellular slime moulds composed of aggregated haploid amoebae, whereas plasmodium is a multinuclear, acellular feeding stage of myxomycetes.
Option (a) is incorrect.
Option (b) - Pseudopodia: commonly called as ‘false feet’, these are the extension of cell membranes which help in the movement of amoeba. These also help amoeba in engulfing a prey. [WBCs in humans also show amoeboid/ pseudopodia movement while catching the foreign antigen].
Option (b) is correct.
Option (c) - Cilia: Cilia are the hair-like outgrowth present on the plasma membrane. Ciliary movement is the rhythmic movement of cilia which helps in the movement of fluid which causes the cell body to move. Cilia differs in number in different organisms. For ex. the movement of ovum in oviduct, in paramecium, etc.
Option (c) is incorrect.
Option (d) - Flagella: It is a microscopic hair-like outgrowth used by cells and microorganisms for their movement. Like cilia, flagella also differ in number in different organisms. For ex. Some bacteria show flagellar movements, and sperm cells also show this type of movement in the female reproductive tract.
Option (d) is incorrect.
Hence, the correct answer is (b).

Note: Unicellular organisms achieve locomotion using cilia and flagella. Cilia and flagella can shift the cell in one direction or another by causing currents in the surrounding area. Cilia and flagella possess a number of microtubules that run parallel to the long axis. The arrangement of the axonemal microtubules is in the form of an array. The cilium and flagellum arise from the basal body, which resembles a centriole.