Explain the process of nutrition in Amoeba.
Ans: In Amoeba, nutrition occurs through a process called phagocytosis. Amoeba is a unicellular organism that engulfs its food using pseudopodia, which are temporary extensions of its cell membrane and cytoplasm.
The process of nutrition in Amoeba involves the following steps:
Detection: Amoeba senses the presence of food particles in its environment through chemical signals.
Engulfment: Once a food particle, such as a microscopic organism or organic matter, is detected, Amoeba extends pseudopodia around it, forming a food vacuole. The food vacuole is internalized and separated from the external environment.
Digestion: Enzymes, such as proteases and lipases, are secreted into the food vacuole to break down the ingested food into simpler molecules.
Absorption: The digested nutrients, including sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids, are absorbed from the food vacuole into the cytoplasm of Amoeba.
Assimilation: The absorbed nutrients are utilized by Amoeba for energy production, growth, and maintenance of cellular functions.
Egestion: Undigested waste material is expelled from the cell through the process of exocytosis.
