Ameba or Amoeba


Pronunciation key

( ə-mēbə )

a•me•ba

n.

[pl. AMEBAS (-bəz), AMEBAE (-bē)]

[<NL <Gk. amoibē change]

  1. also spelled, amoeba
  2. any one of the genus Amoeba, composed of unicellular micro-organisms of the Phylum Protozoa and Superclass Sarcodina (Rhizopoda). Typically found in stagnant water, and sometimes acts as a parasite on other animals. It is of an indefinate shape, changing as it moves to feed through action of pseudopodia. Its method of reproduction is by simple division of one individual cell into two separate organisms.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
ameba
Kingdom Protozoa
Phylum Protozoa
Subphylum Sarcodina
Superclass Rhizopoda
Class Lobosa – amoebas, amibes
Direct Children:
Order Amoebida
Order Arcellinida
Order Euamoebida

References and Further Reading

  • Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1955
  • Funk and Wagnalls Standard Dictionary, Comprehensive International Edition, ©1976
  • Lobosa, Taxonomic Serial No.: 43850
  • Amebiasis, infection caused by Amoeba
  • Ameba, Extended article
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