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What are the functions of pseudopodia

Pseudopods serve two important functions—locomotion and food capture, activities that are often interrelated. Amoebas use their pseudopods to ingest food by a method called phagocytosis .

The streaming of protoplasm inside the pseudopods moves the amoeba forward. When the organism contacts a food particle, the pseudopods surround the particle. After the food is corralled by the amoeba, an opening in the membrane allows the food particle to pass into the cell. Inside the cell, the food is enclosed within food vacuoles, digested by enzymes, and assimilated by the amoeba. The amoeba expels particles that are not acceptable as food.


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