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Nature

Amibe

What is amibe?

· Emily Grant

Key facts

Nature Unicellular eukaryotic micro-organism[1]
Taxonomic status Polyphyletic group, not monophyletic[1]
Locomotion Pseudopods[2]
Habitat Water, moist soil, or as a digestive parasite[3]

An amibe is a single-celled eukaryotic organism that moves using pseudopods, found across several polyphyletic protist groups, living freely or as a parasite. [1]

Context

An amibe is a single-celled eukaryotic organism that moves using pseudopods, found across several polyphyletic protist groups, living freely or as a parasite [1]. The term covers multiple taxonomic groups, including Amoebozoa, Acanthamoeba, Rhizaria, Heterokonta, Excavata, and Opisthokonta [1]. Pseudopods serve both for movement and for capturing prey [2]. Some amibes live in the human intestine, and the pathogenic species Entamoeba histolytica is linked to amebiasis [4]. Transmission occurs through the fecal-oral route via contaminated water, food, or objects [4].

Documented claims

  • The term amibe covers multiple taxonomic groups, including Amoebozoa, Acanthamoeba, Rhizaria, Heterokonta, Excavata, and Opisthokonta. [1]
  • Pseudopods serve both for movement and for capturing prey. [2]
  • Some amibes live in the human intestine, and the pathogenic species Entamoeba histolytica is linked to amebiasis. [4]
  • Transmission occurs through the fecal-oral route via contaminated water, food, or objects. [4]

Questions and answers

What is the meaning of amibe?

An amibe is a single-celled eukaryotic organism that moves using pseudopods, found across several polyphyletic protist groups, living freely or as a parasite [1].

Where can amibes be found?

Amibes live in water, moist soil, or as digestive parasites in hosts like humans [3].

Is amibe harmful to humans?

Some amibes are harmless, but the species Entamoeba histolytica causes amebiasis, transmitted through contaminated water or food [4].

Sources

  1. Amibe - Définition et Explications — techno-science.net (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Formes — passeportsante.net (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. Amibe — fr.vikidia.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  4. AMIBE ET AMIBIASE — pharmacie.univ-batna2.dz (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Nature