170 ANIMAL BIOLOGY 



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

 offspring in one month/ 1 



125. Study of amoeba (plural, amoebae oramoebas). (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 or 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. 



