Pseudopodia

PSEUDOPODIA, or false feet, are mobile extensions of the protoplasmic body of free cells, for example, leukocytes, or similar organelles of simple animals, particularly rhizopods. Pseudopodia can be retracted into the protoplasmic body and extended again in another place. Pseudopodia serve as organelles for movement and food capture. The following forms of pseudopodia are distinguished: short and thick pseudopodia (lobopodia), as well as long, thin, thread-like pseudopodia (filopodia); if the latter are branched, they are called rhizopodia; myxopodia—pseudopodia of the rhizopodia type, but with a tendency for individual pseudopodia to merge with each other and form a network. In axopodia (heliozoans), there is a solid axial thread. The latter can dissolve in the protoplasm and appear again.