Sarcodina
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Protista |
| Phylum: | Sarco Mastigophora |
| Subphyla: | |
| Mastigophora | |
| Sarcodina | |
| Opalinata |
Quick Facts
| Common name | Sarcodine |
| Scientific name | Sarcodina |
| Type | Single-celled protozoa (amoeba group) |
| Diet | Algae, bacteria, protozoans and debris |
| Habitat | Fresh water, sea water and moist soil |
| Special feature | Moves and feeds with temporary arm-like pseudopodia |
Sarcodina is an older name for a very large and varied group of amoeba-like protozoa with thousands of living and fossil species. Some Sacrodines are free living and some are parasitic. They contain amoeba and other related organisms. They have streaming cytoplasm. They use temporary cytoplasmic extension known as Pseudopodia. in feeding and locomotion. The cytoplasm contains inner, granular Endoplasm and clear, outer Ectoplasm. The Sarcodina moves by extending the cytoplasm. When the Endoplasm and the inner cytoplasm push the Ectoplasm or outer cytoplasm forward to make a rounded arm-like extension, then Pseudopodia form. They feed on algae, bacteria, protozoans, and organic debris. Cytoplasmic enzymes digest the food of the Sarcodina by entering the food vacuole. Mostly, free-living Sacrodines are carnivores, only some are herbivores and browsers.
They are distinguished by the structure of their Pseudopodia. There are three subclasses of the Sarcodina, which are Heliozoa, Radiolaria and Rhizopoda. Heliozoa and Radiolaria are considered as being ordered. And in that case, Sarcodina are divided into five orders. Rhizopoda includes the order Foraminifera, Testacea and Amoebina.
History
The name Sarcodina comes from the Greek word “Sarx”, which means “flesh”. In the 20th century, it was confirmed by a series of molecular Phylogenetic analysis that the Sarcodina was not a monophyletic group.
Anatomy
During certain stages of the development of the Sarcodina, they have flagella. They are found in fresh water, marine water and in moist soil. They are holozoic or heterotrophic in nutrition. The Sarcodina are either uninucleate or multinucleate. To pump out excess water, they have contractile vacuoles. When the weather conditions are unfavorable such as drought, heat or lack of nutrients, then they form hard, protective and inactive cysts. The Sarcodina have hard cells, known as a test. These tests are made of calcium carbonate and silica. Carbon dioxide and oxygen gases diffuse through the cell membrane. They have cells, which are either spherical or irregular in form and shape. The covering or pellicles of their cell are soft, transparent and flexible.
Reproduction
The Sacrodines may reproduce sexually or asexually. Sexual reproduction is done by Syngamy. The Syngamy is the fusion of two gametes. Asexual reproduction takes place by the division of cells and this happens frequently, without breakdown of the nuclear envelope, which is typical in mitosis or sexually by meiosis. In asexual reproduction, they produce a bud, the genetic material divides equally, but the newly formed organism’s cytoplasm is much smaller.
The Sarcodina are Subphylum of protozoa. They are characterized by the ability to alter the shape of their body. They live in fresh, brackish and salt water, in moist soil, and as Endoparasites in plants and animals. They include amoeba and other various Pathogenic species. In appearance, they are similar. But, at the cellular level they have key biological difference. By consuming organic matter and food particles, they obtain energy.
The Sarcodina’s group of Protozoan parasites is characterized by amoeba. The Entamoeba histolytica and Acanthamoeba species are most commonly known amoeba which are able to infect human beings. Entamoeba histolytica parasite is transmitted by the ingestion of cysts present in food, soil and water. A broad range of problems can be caused by this parasite. The Acanthamoeba is one of the most frequent parasites found in the water and soil. They cause rare but severe infections.
Sarcodine FAQs
What are Sarcodina?
Sarcodina are single-celled protozoa that include amoebas. They change shape and move by pushing out temporary arm-like parts called pseudopodia.
How do Sarcodina move and eat?
They stretch their cytoplasm out into pseudopodia. They use these to crawl and also to catch food.
What do Sarcodina eat?
They feed on algae, bacteria, other protozoans and bits of organic debris.
Where do Sarcodina live?
They are found in fresh water, sea water and moist soil.
Can Sarcodina cause disease?
Some can. Entamoeba histolytica can infect people if they swallow its cysts in food, soil or water. Acanthamoeba causes rare but serious infections.
Randi Jones is the owner and founder of the Nature Gift Store, an online retailer specializing in nature-themed gifts, educational science projects, live animal nature kits and real butterfly artwork. A biology graduate who fell in love with insects, she founded the company in 2001 to make active learning about nature fun, accessible and engaging for children and adults. Her store offers real butterfly frames, home and garden decor and educational live animal kits, including ant farms, worm farms, tadpoles, ladybugs and hermit crabs, and she runs a bug museum in Washington featuring live animals like Eddie the Iguana alongside other reptiles and insects.
