Difference Between

Amoeba vs Paramecium
 

Amoeba and paramecium are two very important protozoan unicellular organisms. Being microscopic, they both have many similarities, but it is very important to understand the differences in functions and other characteristics between them. The modes of lives and many other important distinctions are discussed in the text and the main differences between amoeba and paramecium are compared.

Amoeba

Amoeba is one of the well taught unicellular protozoans. Amoeba is the generic name, and one of amoeba’s main characteristics is the lack of a particular shape for the body or the cell. This shapeless creature can change the density of its body contents so that the shape varies accordingly. The entire cell contents are covered with the cell membrane or plasma membrane. Additionally, each cell organelle is covered with the cell membrane. At the anterior end of the cell, amoeba can form a tubular pseudopod by controlling the density of the cytoplasm. In addition, there are few secondary pseudopods branching from the main one.

Amoeba is a heterotrophic organism that shows both anabolic and catabolic functions inside the cell. Although they do not have a specific mouth, amoebae can feed through phagocytosis. Food particles are encased into small vacuoles and the digestion take place after that. There may be one or more nuclei inside the cell, and the contractile vacuole is helpful to maintain the ionic and osmotic balance of the entire cell. Amoebae show asexual reproduction, which takes place through mitosis and cytokinesis.

Amoeba could sometimes cause problems for other animals including humans with amoebic diarrhoea. Thus, it is evident that despite their small microscopic size amoebae could be significant for the economy of people.

Paramecium

Paramecium is a well-known and well-studied protozoan. This unicellular creature has a characteristic body cover with cilia; hence, they are categorized as ciliates. Paramecium is the scientific, generic name, and it is used as the common name, as well. Paramecium is well known for its characteristic shape that resembles the sole of a shoe, which is anteriorly rounded and posteriorly pointed. The stiff but elastic pellicle membrane maintains this definite shape of paramecium. Paramecium can move through the water body by moving its cilia to a beat along a 120¬0 angle.

Paramecium is a predatory microorganism found in the freshwaters. They are very important ecological units, especially their symbiotic relationship with some bacteria. They have a mouth in their cell; their cilia are used to sweep up the food along with some water into their cell mouth, and then the food is transferred into the oral groove. The main food items of paramecium are bacteria, algae, and yeast cells. Paramecium shows sexual reproduction through conjugation to exchange their genetic material. Paramecium could be a great example of a sophisticated microorganism with some important characteristics.

What is the difference between Amoeba and Paramecium?

• Amoeba and paramecium are unicellular organisms described under different genera.

• Amoeba moves by using pseudopodia while the locomotion of paramecium is performed using cilia.

• Amoeba usually has one nucleus, but paramecium has one or more nuclei.

• Amoeba can change its body shape, whereas paramecium does have a definite shape like the sole of a shoe.

• Both are heterotrophs; amoeba feeds through phagocytosis, but paramecium feeds itself through predation.

• Amoeba reproduces asexually through mitosis, while paramecium shows sexual reproduction via conjugation.