The key difference between WBC and Amoeba is that WBC is a type of blood cell derived from the bone marrow while Amoeba is a unicellular microscopic protozoan.
WBC stands for white blood cell. It is a cellular component of the blood. There are several types of white blood cells and each cell has different functions related to immunity. Amoeba is a well-known type of unicellular protozoan that mostly inhabits fresh water. Both of these types share many similarities. But, this article mainly focuses on the difference between WBC and Amoeba.
White blood cells (WBCs) are a type of immune cells that protect the body from infectious pathogens and their diseases. They are also called leukocytes. WBCs originate from hematopoietic stem cells. Hematopoietic stem cells are multipotent cells present in the bone marrow. White blood cells have nuclei. Hence, they are significant compared to red blood cells (RBCs) and platelets. WBCs are present throughout the body in both the lymphatic system and the blood.
Figure 01: WBC
There are two main categories of white blood cells based on the presence and absence of the granules inside them. WBCs with granules are granulocytes and those that lack granules are agranulocytes. There are three types of granulocytes as basophil, eosinophil, and neutrophil while there are two types of agranulocytes as monocytes and lymphocytes. Moreover, these five types differ physically and functionally. Out of the five cells, monocytes and neutrophils are phagocytic. They engulf or digest foreign particles that are pathogenic. Other cells produce antibodies for immunity.
What is Amoeba?
Amoeba is a microscopic unicellular protozoan. It belongs to the order Amoebida. Amoeba possesses a clear cytoplasm with two divisions: endoplasm and ectoplasm. The endoplasm possesses a contractile vacuole, food vacuoles, and a granular nucleus. Besides, Amoeba doesn’t have a mouth or an anus. Hence, they carry out food uptake and waste excretion through the cell surface. The contractile vacuole removes excess water from Amoeba. In addition, amoeba reproduces through the simple form of binary fission.
Figure 02: Amoeba
Generally, amoeba is present in decaying plant matter and freshwater habitats. In addition, some species could be parasitic. About 6 species of amoeba are present in the human alimentary canal. Out of them, Entamoeba histolytica is parasitic and causes amebic dysentery.
Moreover, amoeba possesses pseudopodia. These pseudopodia are cytoplasmic extensions produced temporarily. They are also called false feet. Pseudopodia allow amoeba to locomote (amoeboid movement). Amoeboid movement is the most primitive form of animal locomotion.
What are the Similarities Between WBC and Amoeba?
WBC and Amoeba are unicellular.
The shape of the cell is indefinite in both types.
Also, both possess cell membranes.
Moreover, they have a nucleus.
And, both carry out phagocytosis.
Furthermore, both are found in the human body.
What is the Difference Between WBC and Amoeba?
WBC is a type of blood cell while Amoeba is a unicellular protozoan. So, this is the key difference between WBC and Amoeba. Furthermore, there are five types of WBCs while there are different species of Amoeba. In addition, Amoeba does not fulfill a significant function. But, WBCs help in immunity by destroying pathogenic foreign particles through phagocytosis and by producing antibodies against diseases. Thus, this is an important difference between WBC and Amoeba. Furthermore, Amoeba possesses pseudopodia to perform the amoeboid movement, but no pseudopodia are present in WBCs.
Moreover, a further difference between WBC and Amoeba is their origin. WBCs are derived from hematopoietic stem cells while Amoeba reproduces through binary fission. Besides, high WBC counts cause leukemia whilst Amoeba (Entamoeba histolytica) causes amebic dysentery.
Summary – WBC vs Amoeba
WBC is a type of blood cell while Amoeba is a unicellular protozoan. So, this is the key difference between WBC and Amoeba. White blood cells are immune cells. They either destroy foreign particles through phagocytosis or help in the production of antibodies in response to many pathogenic antigens. There are five types of WBCs and among them, three types are granulocytes while two types are agranulocytes. Amoeba shows amoeboid locomotion through pseudopodia. It is the most primitive form of animal locomotion. Pathogenic species of amoeba that cause amebic dysentery is Entamoeba histolytica.
1. “Blausen 0909 WhiteBloodCells” By Blausen.com staff (2014). “Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014”. WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436. – Own work (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Amoeba (PSF)” By el:User:Kupirijo – Amoeba_(PSF).png (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia