AMEBOID Meaning and
Definition
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Ameboid, often spelled as amoeboid, refers to a term that originates from the Greek word "amoibe" which means "change" or "alteration." This adjective is predominantly used to describe a biological form or characteristic that resembles or exhibits the properties of an amoeba. Amoebas are simple, single-celled microorganisms belonging to the phylum Amoebozoa.
When applied to organisms, the term ameboid signifies a certain type of cellular movement called amoeboid movement. This movement is characterized by the extension and retracting of pseudopodia, or temporary projections, by the cell. These pseudopodia serve as locomotive extensions that allow ameboid organisms to glide smoothly across various surfaces.
In addition to locomotion, the ameboid property can also refer to the shape or structure of cells, particularly white blood cells known as amoebocytes. Ameboid cells typically lack a fixed shape, displaying a constantly changing structure due to the flexible nature of their cytoplasm. This enables them to engulf or surround foreign particles, such as bacteria or debris, in a process referred to as phagocytosis.
The ameboid characteristic can be observed in various organisms, ranging from unicellular amoebas to more complex creatures like certain protozoans, invertebrates, and even human cells. It plays a crucial role in cellular motility and immunity-related processes, allowing organisms to adapt to their environment and perform essential functions.
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1. Resembling an ameba in appearance or characteristics. 2. Of irregular outline with peripheral projections, noting the outline of a form of plate culture; see cut under colony, 1, B.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for AMEBOID
- zmeboid
- smeboid
- wmeboid
- qmeboid
- aneboid
- akeboid
- ajeboid
- amwboid
- amsboid
- amdboid
- amrboid
- am4boid
- am3boid
- amevoid
- amenoid
- amehoid
- amegoid
- ameoid
- amebboid
- imeboid
Etymology of AMEBOID
The term "ameboid" is derived from the word "amoeba". "Amoeba" originates from the Greek word "amoibe" meaning "change" or "alternation". The Greek term was later adopted in Latin as "amoeba", describing a one-celled, microscopic organism known for its ability to alter its shape due to the absence of a fixed body structure. The adjective form "ameboid" is used to describe anything resembling or relating to the shape or movement of an amoeba.
Similar spelling words for AMEBOID
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