How Do You Spell AMEBOID MOVEMENT?

Pronunciation: [ˈe͡ɪmbɔ͡ɪd mˈuːvmənt] (IPA)

The term "ameboid movement" is often used in biology and refers to the characteristic movement of certain cells, such as amoebae, in which the cell changes shape and flows along a surface. The spelling of "ameboid" stems from the alternative spelling of "amoeboid", which reflects the original Greek and Latin roots of the word. In IPA phonetic transcription, this word is pronounced /əˈmiː.bɔɪd/ or uh-MEE-BOYD. The emphasis is on the second syllable, and the final "d" is pronounced as a voiced dental consonant.

AMEBOID MOVEMENT Meaning and Definition

1. Ameboid movement refers to a type of cellular locomotion exhibited by certain organisms, particularly single-celled eukaryotes such as amoebas and macrophages, characterized by the extension and retraction of specific cell projections called pseudopodia. These pseudopodia are temporary, finger-like protrusions that the cell can extend in order to move, capture prey, or engulf particles or other cells.

   Ameboid movement is facilitated by the coordinated contraction and relaxation of cytoplasmic filaments, specifically microfilaments and microtubules, which are present within the cell. The movement begins as the cell extends a pseudopodium in the desired direction by pushing out membrane and cytoplasm, followed by adhesion to the substrate.

   Once the pseudopodium is firmly attached, the rest of the cell's body is dragged forward towards the attachment point by further extension of additional pseudopodia. Simultaneously, the rear portion of the cell is retracted, allowing for forward progression. This process of pseudopodial extension and retraction is repeated, resulting in a characteristic fluid, amorphous movement that gives amoebas their iconic shape.

   Ameboid movement plays a vital role in various biological processes, including tissue repair, immune responses, and the maintenance of cell functionality. Pathogens such as certain bacteria and parasites also employ ameboid movement to invade host tissues or evade immune detection.

   In summary, ameboid movement refers to the flexible and adaptive locomotion displayed by certain organisms through the extension and retraction of pseudopodia, powered by cytoplasmic filaments. This cellular movement is fundamental for a wide range of essential biological functions.

2. The m. characteristic of leucocytes and unicellular organisms; see streaming m.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for AMEBOID MOVEMENT

• zmeboid movement
• smeboid movement
• wmeboid movement
• qmeboid movement
• aneboid movement
• akeboid movement
• ajeboid movement
• amwboid movement
• amsboid movement
• amdboid movement
• amrboid movement
• am4boid movement
• am3boid movement
• amevoid movement
• amenoid movement
• amehoid movement
• amegoid movement
• amebiid movement
• amebkid movement
• ameblid movement

Etymology of AMEBOID MOVEMENT

The term "ameboid movement" derives from the Greek word "amoibe" meaning "change" or "exchange". It is based on the morphological similarity between the movement of certain single-celled organisms and the amoeba, a type of protozoa. Amoeboid movement refers to the characteristic movement exhibited by amoebas and other cells, where they extend pseudopodia (temporary extensions of the cell membrane) in order to propel themselves or reshape their bodies. The term was first used in the late 19th century to describe this type of cellular motion.

Plural form of AMEBOID MOVEMENT is AMEBOID MOVEMENTS