amebas
Single-celled pond life
Amebas is the plural of ameba, a single-celled organism that moves by extending temporary projections of its cell body.
The spelling amoebas, with the o, is equally common.
Amebas live in water, soil, and as parasites—one species causes dysentery.
Figuratively, something ameba-like lacks fixed shape or direction: The project kept shifting like an ameba.
Temporary cellular projection
- cytoplasmGel surrounding the nucleus
- blobShapeless viscous drop
- shapelessLacking distinct structure
- gelatinousViscous and semisolid
flexible · formless · irregular · plasmodium · endoplasm · ectoplasm · contractile · vacuole
One cell only
- eukaryoticHaving organized nuclear membrane
- microorganismMicroscopic living entity
- organismLiving biological entity
- cellBasic unit of life
nucleus · organelle · cytoskeleton · mitosis · osmosis · diffusion · metabolism · reproduction
Bloody intestinal infection
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- parasiteOne exploiting a host
- diseaseDisorder impairing normal function
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
waterborne · fecal · intestinal · diarrhea · colitis · gastroenteritis · ulcerative · tropical
Ciliated slipper-shaped protozoan
- euglenaPlant-animal hybrid microbe
- ciliateHair-covered single-celled organism
- flagellateTo whip or scourge
- dinoflagellateDual-flagellated marine microorganism
pseudopod
Temporary cellular projection
gelatinous · flexible · formless · irregular · plasmodium · endoplasm · ectoplasm · contractile · vacuole · locomotion
unicellular
One cell only
- eukaryoticHaving organized nuclear membrane
- microorganismMicroscopic living entity
- organismLiving biological entity
cell · nucleus · organelle · cytoskeleton · mitosis · osmosis · diffusion · metabolism · reproduction · cultivation
dysentery
Bloody intestinal infection
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- parasiteOne exploiting a host
- diseaseDisorder impairing normal function
contamination · waterborne · fecal · intestinal · diarrhea · colitis · gastroenteritis · ulcerative · tropical · endemic
paramecium
Ciliated slipper-shaped protozoan
- euglenaPlant-animal hybrid microbe
- ciliateHair-covered single-celled organism
- flagellateTo whip or scourge