170 ANIMAL BIOLOGY 



may be responsible for the production of 268,000,000 

 offspring in one month." 



125. Study of amoeba (plural, amoebae or amoebas). (Optional 

 laboratory study.) 



A. Structure of amoeba. 



Examine a living amoeba or a stained specimen on a pre- 

 pared slide. Use a low power of the compound microscope 

 at first, and then as high a power as may be neces- 

 sary. Make a sketch about three inches long to show 

 the following : 



1. An outline to show the shape of the animal, including any 



projections of the protoplasm, which are called pseudopods 

 (Greek pseudo = false + pod = foot ; hence, the name 

 false foot). 



2. The main mass of the amoeba, clear and jellylike in a living 



amoeba, slightly stained in a mounted specimen, which 

 is called the cell body. 



3. A slightly denser part of the protoplasm in the living form or 



stained much darker in the preserved animal, the nucleus. 



4. Particles of food or one-celled plants scattered through the 



cell body. 



5. Label : false feet or pseudopods, nucleus, cell body, food 



particles. 



6. If time allows, draw several different forms assumed by the 



specimen. 



B. Locomotion. 



In a living amoeba watch with the high power of the 

 microscope the creeping movements, and the projections 

 of the pseudopods. 



1. Are the movements slow or rapid ? 



2. In your own words give a description of the locomotion of 



the amoeba. 



