About Amy Expertise I love understanding how things work, especially when it comes to living
things. I`ve spent most of my life studying science and love passing on
this knowledge to kids. I currently work in a children`s science museum
where I`ve designed science exhibits on all sorts of topics; including
predators, music, weather, water, technology and much, much more! I`m
happy to answer questions about anything you have problems with at
school or help you with science projects. Also, I can help teachers
with ideas for classroom activities. Please note that I don`t answer
homework questions.
Experience I have an honours degree in Biochemistry and work as a science communicator for the National Science and Technology Centre in Australia.
Science for Kids - Do you know wht kingdom does the amoeba belong to? (just curious to know)
Expert: Amy - 2/6/2005
Question do you know what kingdom the amoeba belongs to?(just curious to know) we still didn't learn this.
Answer Hi Jennifer,
the amoeba is in the kingdom Protista.
Here's some more info.
Thanks,
Amy
The kingdom Protista is used to group most single-celled organisms, except bacteria and blue-green algae. Protista is a large and variable group containing both plant and animal characteristics. This group includes about 50,000 species of protozoans (first animals) and between 8,000 and 12,000 species of algae (simple plants).
Protists are mostly microscopic and have no organs or tissues. They are single-celled but may occur in colonies. They may be free-living on land or in water, or live in association with other plants and animals. Locomotion is achieved by waving tiny hair-like threads. Different organisms obtain nutrients by one of three methods: direct absorption from the surrounding environment, eating other plants and animals, or by making their own through photosynthesis.
AMOEBA (Amoeba proteus)
An amoeba is an organism that is readily found in pond water and gets it's name from the Greek word for change, amoibe. The outline of the single-celled body changes constantly as it moves and has no permanent shape. The freshwater amoeba is typical of this group. Oxygen and carbon dioxide for respiration pass freely through the delicate cell membrane. Amoebas multiply by simply dividing in two. If food or water becomes scarce, they can survive as inactive cysts until conditions improve.
Amoebas feed themselves by trapping food particles in the surrounding water. Their cell parts can become more fluid to stretch out and form false feet around food bits. They are predators of other protozoans and minute animals. They can detect vibrations, and when stalking active prey, they will avoid contact until their false foot has surrounded the prey completely.
