Axopods – Definition & Meaning

Axopods are slender, elongated cytoplasmic extensions that protrude from the surface of certain cells. These structures are found in a variety of single-celled organisms, including protozoa, algae, and some fungi. Axopods are used for a variety of functions, including movement, feeding, and sensing the environment.

Definitions

Axopods are thin, hair-like structures that extend from the cell body of certain single-celled organisms. They are composed of microtubules and are capable of extending and retracting rapidly. Axopods are used for a variety of functions, including movement, feeding, and sensing the environment.

Origin

The term “axopod” comes from the Greek words “axo,” meaning “axis,” and “podos,” meaning “foot.” The term was first used in the early 20th century to describe the slender, elongated cytoplasmic extensions found in certain single-celled organisms.

Meaning in different dictionaries

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, axopods are “slender, elongated cytoplasmic processes that extend from the surface of certain cells and are used for movement and feeding.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines axopods as “slender, elongated cytoplasmic extensions that protrude from the surface of certain cells and are used for movement, feeding, and sensing the environment.”

Associations

Axopods are associated with a variety of single-celled organisms, including protozoa, algae, and some fungi. They are used for a variety of functions, including movement, feeding, and sensing the environment.

Synonyms

Synonyms for axopods include pseudopods, flagella, and cilia.

Antonyms

Antonyms for axopods include immobile, stationary, and motionless.

The same root words

The root words “axo” and “podos” are also found in other scientific terms, such as axoneme (the central core of cilia and flagella) and podocyte (a specialized cell in the kidney).

Example Sentences

1. The axopods of the protozoan were used for both movement and feeding.
2. The cilia and flagella of certain organisms are similar in structure to axopods.
3. The axopods of the algae were able to sense changes in the environment.
4. The immobile bacteria lacked the axopods found in many single-celled organisms.