Compare the process of digesting food in an amoeba to a mouse

Answer 1

The processes of digestion in an amoeba and a mouse are fundamentally different due to their distinct anatomical structures and modes of nutrient acquisition. Here’s a comparison of the two:

Amoeba

1. Type of Organism: Amoeba is a unicellular organism, specifically a protozoan.

2. Method of Food Intake: Amoeba uses a process called phagocytosis to ingest food. It extends its cytoplasm to form pseudopodia (false feet) that surround and engulf food particles, such as bacteria or small protozoans.

3. Digestion Process:

   • Internalization: Once the food particle is enclosed, it forms a food vacuole within the cytoplasm.
   • Digestion: Lysosomes containing digestive enzymes fuse with the food vacuole, releasing enzymes that break down the food into simpler molecules.
   • Absorption: The nutrients are then absorbed into the cytoplasm, where they can be utilized by the cell for energy, growth, and repair.
   • Exocytosis: Undigested materials are expelled from the cell through a process called exocytosis.

4. Nutritional Mode: Amoebas primarily feed on small organisms or organic matter, relying on their ability to move and alter shape to capture food.

Mouse

1. Type of Organism: A mouse is a multicellular organism and a member of the mammalian class.

2. Method of Food Intake: Mice have a mouth and teeth to eat solid food. They can chew and break down food before swallowing.

3. Digestion Process:

   • Mouth: Food is mechanically broken down by teeth and mixed with saliva, which contains enzymes that begin the chemical digestion of carbohydrates.
   • Stomach: The food then travels to the stomach, where it is mixed with gastric juices (containing hydrochloric acid and pepsin) that break down proteins.
   • Small Intestine: The partially digested food moves to the small intestine, where the bulk of digestion and nutrient absorption occurs. Enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver aid in the digestion of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
   • Nutrient Absorption: Nutrients are absorbed through the walls of the small intestine into the bloodstream.
   • Large Intestine: Water and electrolytes are absorbed, and waste material is formed.
   • Excretion: Undigested food is eventually expelled from the body as feces through the anus.

4. Nutritional Mode: Mice are omnivores, capable of consuming a variety of foods, including plants, seeds, and small insects.

Summary

In summary, amoebas digest food at a cellular level through phagocytosis and enzyme action within food vacuoles, relying on simple diffusion for absorption. In contrast, mice possess a complex digestive system involving mechanical and chemical breakdown, nutrient absorption through specialized organs, and a more advanced method of waste excretion. These differences reflect their adaptations to their respective environments and modes of life.