A student uses a microscope to study a unicellular organism. He sees that the organism has extended a pseudopod. What is the organism most likely preparing to do?
Obtain food
When a unicellular organism extends a pseudopod, it is most likely preparing to do the following:
1. Engulf Food: Unicellular organisms, such as amoebas, often use pseudopods to capture and engulf their food. The pseudopod extends towards the food source, surrounds it, and then retracts, pulling the food into the organism.
2. Move: Pseudopods also play a crucial role in locomotion for many unicellular organisms. By extending and retracting the pseudopods, the organism can change its shape and move in a particular direction.
3. Respond to Stimuli: Some unicellular organisms use pseudopods to react to environmental stimuli. For example, they may extend a pseudopod to move away from harmful stimuli or towards more favorable conditions, such as light or nutrients.
So, depending on the specific circumstances, the unicellular organism is most likely preparing to either capture food, move, or respond to environmental factors through the extension of its pseudopod.
The student observes that the unicellular organism has extended a pseudopod. This is a temporary protrusion of the cell membrane and cytoplasm that allows the organism to move and capture food. Based on this observation, the organism is most likely preparing to perform two important functions: locomotion and feeding.
To arrive at this answer, I analyzed the term "pseudopod." A pseudopod is used by unicellular organisms, such as amoebas, for movement and capturing prey. By extending pseudopods, these organisms change their shape and move in a crawling-like manner. This enables them to explore their surroundings, seek out nutrients, or escape unfavorable conditions.
Furthermore, it is important to note that amoebas and other unicellular organisms primarily obtain food through a process called phagocytosis. When they extend a pseudopod towards a potential food source, they surround and engulf it, forming a food vacuole. Digestive enzymes are then secreted into the vacuole, breaking down the food for absorption and assimilation.
In conclusion, the most likely reason that the unicellular organism extends a pseudopod is to both move and capture food.