amoeba

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amoeba Microscopic, almost transparent, single-celled protozoan animal that has a constantly changing, irregular shape. Found in ponds, damp soil and animal intestines, it consists of a thin outer cell membrane, a large nucleus, food and contractile vacuoles and fat globules. It reproduces by binary fission. Length: up to 3mm (0.lin). Class Sarcodina; species include the common Amoeba proteus and Entamoeba histolytica, which causes amoebic dysentery.

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