Amoebas can change their shape for mobility, consuming food, and adapting to their environment.
-They produce tentacle-like extensions called pseudopodia (meaning "false foot") to move through their environments.
-When the encounter food they can 'grab' or push the particles towards them for phagocytosis (cell engulfing/eating of large particles).
-In open water an amoeba cell will form many pseudopodia in all directions as it floats; this allows it to sense things at all angles.
-During unfavorable conditions (such as cold or dry times) the amoeba will become a ball and secrete a protective membrane around itself to form a microbial cyst. The cell remains in this protected state until more favorable conditions arise; it can die if it's unable to emerge for a long period of time.
