amoeba
Blob under microscope
An amoeba is a single-celled organism that moves by extending temporary projections of its body, flowing into new shapes rather than using fixed appendages.
Found in water and soil, amoebas are studied in biology as examples of simple life.
Figuratively, something amoeba-like shifts shape or boundaries unpredictably: The company's structure was amoeba-like, constantly reorganizing.
Also spelled amoeba (American) or amoeba (British).
Shapeless viscous drop
- amorphousWithout distinct shape
- formlessLacking definite shape
- gelatinousViscous and semisolid
- proteanReadily changing form
morphing · shifting · undefined · fluid · squishy · oozing · jellylike · blobby
Unicellular eukaryotic life form
- unicellularOne cell only
- eukaryoteOrganism with nucleated cells
- pseudopodTemporary cellular projection
- cytoplasmGel surrounding the nucleus
nucleus · phagocytosis · binary fission · plasma membrane · contractile vacuole · endoplasm · ectoplasm · cyst
Ciliated slipper-shaped protozoan
- euglenaPlant-animal hybrid microbe
- plasmodiumMultinucleate protoplasmic mass
- protozoaSingle-celled eukaryotic organisms
- algaePrimitive aquatic photosynthesizers
bacteria · archaea · diatom · ciliate · flagellate · plankton · microorganism · pond life
Disease-causing microorganism
- parasiteOne exploiting a host
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- diseaseDisorder impairing normal function
- giardiaWaterborne intestinal parasite
entamoeba · dysentery · meningitis · contamination · waterborne · host · contagion · outbreak
Existing from the start
- ancientVery old indeed
- primevalFrom earliest times
- ancestralOf one's forebears
- earlyOccurring before expected
simple · basic · rudimentary · prehistoric · original · progenitor · evolutionary · archaic
Able to adjust readily
- malleableCapable of being shaped
- changeableCapable of alteration
- versatileCapable in varied contexts
- flexibleAble to bend freely
mutable · plastic · pliable · resilient · responsive · dynamic · fluid · ever-changing
blob
Shapeless viscous drop
- amorphousWithout distinct shape
- formlessLacking definite shape
- gelatinousViscous and semisolid
protean · morphing · shifting · undefined · fluid · squishy · oozing · jellylike · blobby · undulating
protozoan
Unicellular eukaryotic life form
- unicellularOne cell only
- eukaryoteOrganism with nucleated cells
- pseudopodTemporary cellular projection
cytoplasm · nucleus · phagocytosis · binary fission · plasma membrane · contractile vacuole · endoplasm · ectoplasm · cyst · osmoregulation
paramecium
Ciliated slipper-shaped protozoan
- euglenaPlant-animal hybrid microbe
- plasmodiumMultinucleate protoplasmic mass
- protozoaSingle-celled eukaryotic organisms
algae · bacteria · archaea · diatom · ciliate · flagellate · plankton · microorganism · pond life · protist
pathogen
Disease-causing microorganism
- parasiteOne exploiting a host
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- diseaseDisorder impairing normal function
giardia · entamoeba · dysentery · meningitis · contamination · waterborne · host · contagion · outbreak · tropical
primordial
Existing from the start
early · simple · basic · rudimentary · prehistoric · original · progenitor · evolutionary · archaic · fundamental
adaptable
Able to adjust readily
- malleableCapable of being shaped
- changeableCapable of alteration
- versatileCapable in varied contexts
flexible · mutable · plastic · pliable · resilient · responsive · dynamic · fluid · ever-changing
- microorganismsparamecium, euglena, protozoa, protozoan, protists
- Pathogenspathogen, germ, germs, bacteria, bacterium
- amoebasChaos, pseudopod
- protistsciliate, dinoflagellate, Paramecium, paramecium, euglena
- protozoaparamecium, euglena, ciliate, flagellates, flagellate
- life formsorganisms, organism, lifeforms, animal, creatures
amoebahuman
Homo sapiens individual
elephant · whale · mammal · vertebrate · blue whale
- brain-eating amoebaLethal single-celled water pathogen
- amoebic dysenteryParasitic bowel infection