HumanHuman versus versus AmoebaAmoeba

How multicellular and How multicellular and unicellular organisms carry unicellular organisms carry

out their life processes.out their life processes.

What do all life forms on earth have What do all life forms on earth have in common?in common?

The Life Processes.The Life Processes.– NutritionNutrition– TransportTransport– RespirationRespiration– GrowthGrowth– SynthesisSynthesis– RegulationRegulation– ExcretionExcretion– ReproductionReproduction

NotesNotes

All organisms, big and small, must All organisms, big and small, must carry out the same basic life carry out the same basic life

processes. Some do this with complex processes. Some do this with complex organ systems, while others manage organ systems, while others manage just as well using only their cellular just as well using only their cellular organelles. Today we will compare organelles. Today we will compare how two very different organisms how two very different organisms

manage to get the job done.manage to get the job done.

The Human BeingThe Human Being

Large, multicellular Large, multicellular animal in the phylum animal in the phylum Chordata.Chordata.

Possesses many Possesses many advanced and complex advanced and complex organ systems.organ systems.

Perhaps the pinnacle of Perhaps the pinnacle of animal evolution.animal evolution.

All activity is coordinated All activity is coordinated by a complex brain and by a complex brain and nervous system.nervous system.

The AmoebaThe Amoeba

A simple unicellular protist A simple unicellular protist in the phylum Protozoa.in the phylum Protozoa.

One of the simplest One of the simplest animal-like microbes on animal-like microbes on earth.earth.

Successful, and relatively Successful, and relatively unchanged for hundreds unchanged for hundreds of millions of years.of millions of years.

All the activities within the All the activities within the amoeba are coordinated amoeba are coordinated

by theby the nucleus.nucleus.

Comparison 1: NutritionComparison 1: Nutrition

Nutrition: The Nutrition: The obtaining and obtaining and processing of food processing of food materials.materials.

Both human and Both human and amoeba are amoeba are heterotrophes, which heterotrophes, which means they cannot means they cannot produce their own produce their own food, like a plant.food, like a plant.

Nutrition continuedNutrition continued

The human has strong The human has strong teeth and powerful jaw teeth and powerful jaw musclesmuscles that help them that help them physically break down physically break down their food.their food.Once ingested, the food Once ingested, the food moves through a complex moves through a complex digestive systemdigestive system where where organic molecules are organic molecules are hydrolyzed into molecules hydrolyzed into molecules small enough to be small enough to be absorbed into the equally absorbed into the equally complex complex circulatory circulatory system.system.

Nutrition continuedNutrition continued

The amoeba extends its The amoeba extends its cell membranecell membrane to to surround and then engulf surround and then engulf its food.its food.The food is then stored in The food is then stored in a a vacuolevacuole..A A lysosomelysosome will then will then inject enzymes into the inject enzymes into the vacuole, which digests vacuole, which digests the food.the food.The small organic The small organic molecules then diffuse molecules then diffuse into the into the cytoplasmcytoplasm..

Nutrition: SummaryNutrition: Summary

Both the human and the amoeba obtain Both the human and the amoeba obtain food from other organic sources.food from other organic sources.

The human utilizes their digestive, The human utilizes their digestive, circulatory and musculo-skeletal systems circulatory and musculo-skeletal systems to accomplish this.to accomplish this.

The Amoeba relies upon its cell The Amoeba relies upon its cell membrane, vacuoles and lysosomes to do membrane, vacuoles and lysosomes to do the same thing.the same thing.

Comparison 2: TransportComparison 2: Transport

Transport: The intake Transport: The intake and distribution of and distribution of food materials.food materials.Humans need to Humans need to distribute nutrients to distribute nutrients to every one of their every one of their billions of cells.billions of cells.For Amoeba, the For Amoeba, the nutrients only need to nutrients only need to diffuse throughout diffuse throughout their cytoplasm.their cytoplasm.

Transport continuedTransport continued

In humans, nutrients In humans, nutrients are carried throughout are carried throughout the body by means of the body by means of blood flowing through blood flowing through an extensive an extensive circulatory systemcirculatory system..

Powering this flow of Powering this flow of blood this a blood this a muscularmuscular, , four chambered heart.four chambered heart.

Transport continuedTransport continued

For the amoeba, the For the amoeba, the digested nutrients digested nutrients disperse throughout disperse throughout the cytoplasm by the cytoplasm by means of diffusion means of diffusion and cyclosis.and cyclosis.Cyclosis is the term Cyclosis is the term used to describe the used to describe the streaming motion of streaming motion of the cytoplasm within the cytoplasm within the cell.the cell.

Transport summaryTransport summary

For humans, transport is achieved through For humans, transport is achieved through the use of blood contained in the the use of blood contained in the thousands of miles of blood vessels that thousands of miles of blood vessels that make up the circulatory system. All of this make up the circulatory system. All of this is put into motion by the constant beating is put into motion by the constant beating of a muscular heart.of a muscular heart.Amoeba transport their nutrients through Amoeba transport their nutrients through their cytoplasm by simple diffusion and their cytoplasm by simple diffusion and cyclosis, or cytoplasmic streaming.cyclosis, or cytoplasmic streaming.

But wait!!!But wait!!!

Didn’t we learn that the endoplasmic reticulum Didn’t we learn that the endoplasmic reticulum helps to transport certain molecules throughout helps to transport certain molecules throughout a eukaryotic cell such as an amoeba?a eukaryotic cell such as an amoeba?

Yes, we did, but we will see why the Yes, we did, but we will see why the endoplasmic reticulum, while transporting endoplasmic reticulum, while transporting proteins and lipids, does more than transport proteins and lipids, does more than transport molecules. molecules.

This will be less confusing to you when we This will be less confusing to you when we discuss synthesis. discuss synthesis.

Comparison 3: RespirationComparison 3: Respiration

Respiration: The Respiration: The process by which the process by which the energy contained in energy contained in food is released food is released through the process through the process of oxidation.of oxidation.

Respiration occurs Respiration occurs between the double between the double membrane of the membrane of the mighty mitochondria.mighty mitochondria.

Respiration continuedRespiration continued

Many different systems Many different systems play a role in human play a role in human respiration. The respiration. The respiratory systemrespiratory system introduces oxygen into introduces oxygen into the body, the the body, the digestive digestive systemsystem breaks down food breaks down food so it can pass into blood so it can pass into blood stream, and the stream, and the circulatory systemcirculatory system carries carries both nutrients and oxygen both nutrients and oxygen to all the cells of the to all the cells of the body.body.

Respiration continuedRespiration continued

We have already covered We have already covered how the amoeba gets its how the amoeba gets its nutrition, but how about nutrition, but how about the oxygen necessary for the oxygen necessary for respiration?respiration?The amoeba relies on the The amoeba relies on the passive transport of passive transport of oxygen through its oxygen through its cell cell membranemembrane. Once in the . Once in the cell, the oxygen diffuses cell, the oxygen diffuses in the in the cytoplasmcytoplasm until its until its concentration is in concentration is in equilibrium throughout equilibrium throughout the amoeba.the amoeba.

Respiration summaryRespiration summary

The human relies on the interaction of The human relies on the interaction of many different body systems to carry out many different body systems to carry out respiration. The respiratory, circulatory, respiration. The respiratory, circulatory, digestive and musculo-skeletal systems all digestive and musculo-skeletal systems all play a part.play a part.In amoeba, it is many organelles that get In amoeba, it is many organelles that get the job done. The cell membrane, the the job done. The cell membrane, the cytoplasm, vacuoles and lysosomes are all cytoplasm, vacuoles and lysosomes are all involved in this processinvolved in this process..

Comparison 4: GrowthComparison 4: Growth

Growth: The increase Growth: The increase in the size on an in the size on an organism.organism.

All life on earth All life on earth increases in size increases in size during their lifetime, during their lifetime, but they do not all but they do not all follow the same follow the same pattern.pattern.

Growth continuedGrowth continued

Humans depend on Humans depend on interactions between interactions between their their Endocrine, Endocrine, Digestive, Musculo-Digestive, Musculo-skeletal and Nervous skeletal and Nervous systemssystems to control to control growth.growth.

Humans stop growing Humans stop growing at adulthood.at adulthood.

Growth continuedGrowth continued

Amoeba are in a near Amoeba are in a near constant state of growth constant state of growth and division.and division.Immediately after cell Immediately after cell division, the division, the nucleusnucleus coordinates the coordinates the production of more production of more cytoplasmcytoplasm and and cell cell organellesorganelles, causing an , causing an increase in size. increase in size. The The ribosomeribosome, the , the nucleolusnucleolus and the and the mitochondriamitochondria all help the all help the amoeba to grow following amoeba to grow following mitosismitosis

Growth summaryGrowth summary

At some point in their life time, all organisms will At some point in their life time, all organisms will undergo growth of some type.undergo growth of some type.

Some animals, such as fish and reptiles Some animals, such as fish and reptiles continue to grow throughout their lives.continue to grow throughout their lives.

Birds and mammals grow until they reach Birds and mammals grow until they reach adulthood, at which point they stop growing.adulthood, at which point they stop growing.

Amoeba go through continuous cycles of growth Amoeba go through continuous cycles of growth and division. and division.

Comparison 5: SynthesisComparison 5: Synthesis

Synthesis: The Synthesis: The process by which process by which simple compounds simple compounds are combined to are combined to make more complex make more complex molecules.molecules.

Most synthesis Most synthesis involves the creation involves the creation of proteins from of proteins from amino acids.amino acids.

Synthesis continuedSynthesis continued

In humans, In humans, the digestive, the digestive, circulatory, musculo-circulatory, musculo-skeletal and respiratory skeletal and respiratory systemssystems work together to work together to deliver nutrients to all the deliver nutrients to all the cells of the body.cells of the body.

Not all of these nutrients Not all of these nutrients are used for energy, are used for energy, some, are used to build some, are used to build cell organelles and other cell organelles and other body structures.body structures.

Synthesis continuedSynthesis continued

Amoeba also use the nutrients Amoeba also use the nutrients not used for energy production not used for energy production to build their organelles.to build their organelles.Protein synthesis occurs at the Protein synthesis occurs at the ribosomesribosomes. The . The endoplasmic endoplasmic reticulumreticulum transports these transports these proteins throughout the cell. proteins throughout the cell. The Golgi bodiesThe Golgi bodies help help assemble and package lipids.assemble and package lipids.The information on The information on constructing proteins is stored constructing proteins is stored in the DNA, which is found in in the DNA, which is found in the the nucleusnucleus. .

Synthesis summarySynthesis summary

All life must assemble more complex All life must assemble more complex compounds from the nutrients contained in their compounds from the nutrients contained in their food.food.Like all life processes, synthesis occurs in the Like all life processes, synthesis occurs in the cell.cell.Human and amoeba supply their cells with the Human and amoeba supply their cells with the necessary components for synthesis in the same necessary components for synthesis in the same manner as they do for respiration. In both cases manner as they do for respiration. In both cases similar organ systems and organelles are similar organ systems and organelles are involved in the ingestion, digestion and involved in the ingestion, digestion and transporting of nutrientstransporting of nutrients..

Comparison 6: RegulationComparison 6: Regulation

Regulation: The Regulation: The coordinated response coordinated response by an organism to a by an organism to a changing changing environment.environment.

The principal function The principal function of regulation is to of regulation is to maintain homeostasismaintain homeostasis

Regulation continuedRegulation continued

Humans respond to their Humans respond to their changing environment by changing environment by means of several of their means of several of their organ systems.organ systems.Sweating (Sweating (ExcretoryExcretory))““Flight or Fight” response Flight or Fight” response ((EndocrineEndocrine))Shivering (Shivering (Musculo-Musculo-skeletalskeletal))Reflex actions (Reflex actions (NervousNervous))Can you think of any Can you think of any other examples?other examples?

Regulation continuedRegulation continued

Amoeba do not have the Amoeba do not have the complex systems to help complex systems to help them regulate.them regulate.

Amoeba will use their Amoeba will use their cytoplasmcytoplasm and and cell cell membranemembrane to create to create psuedopods to move to a psuedopods to move to a more tolerable more tolerable environment. environment.

They will move away from They will move away from heat, cold or predators.heat, cold or predators.

Regulation summaryRegulation summary

All organisms must be able to respond to a All organisms must be able to respond to a changing environment in order to maintain changing environment in order to maintain homeostasis.homeostasis.When homeostasis is not maintained, an When homeostasis is not maintained, an organism can become sick. If the organism is organism can become sick. If the organism is not able to regulate its internal environment for not able to regulate its internal environment for an extended period of time, it will die.an extended period of time, it will die.Amoeba are unable to regulate certain features Amoeba are unable to regulate certain features of its internal environment, such as of its internal environment, such as temperature, without changing its location.temperature, without changing its location.

Comparison 7: ExcretionComparison 7: Excretion

Excretion: The Excretion: The removal of metabolic removal of metabolic wastes from an wastes from an organism.organism.

All of the life All of the life processes have two processes have two things in common.things in common.– They require energyThey require energy– They produce wasteThey produce waste

Excretion continuedExcretion continued

In humans, metabolic In humans, metabolic wastes are wastes are transported out of the transported out of the body by means of the body by means of the excretory system.excretory system.This system functions This system functions through the through the coordinated actions of coordinated actions of the the liver, kidneys and liver, kidneys and urinary system, skin urinary system, skin and lungs.and lungs.

Excretion continuedExcretion continued

Amoeba have no Amoeba have no excretory system or excretory system or anything like it.anything like it.In an amoeba, metabolic In an amoeba, metabolic wastes diffuse out of the wastes diffuse out of the cytoplasmcytoplasm, through the , through the cell membranecell membrane and into and into the surrounding the surrounding environment.environment.Some species of amoeba Some species of amoeba have special have special contractile contractile vacuolesvacuoles which pump out which pump out extra water.extra water.

Excretion summaryExcretion summary

All of the life processes require energy and All of the life processes require energy and produce waste products.produce waste products.

In humans, those waste products include salts, In humans, those waste products include salts, urea, carbon dioxide and water.urea, carbon dioxide and water.

If the waste products are not promptly removed If the waste products are not promptly removed from the body they can become toxic, and make from the body they can become toxic, and make the organism sick, or even cause its death.the organism sick, or even cause its death.

In unicellular organisms, metabolic wastes In unicellular organisms, metabolic wastes diffuse through the cell membrane.diffuse through the cell membrane.

Comparison 8: ReproductionComparison 8: Reproduction

Reproduction: The Reproduction: The process by which process by which offspring are produced.offspring are produced.

This life process is This life process is different from the others different from the others in that it is not required in that it is not required for an individual for an individual organism.organism.

Reproduction must occur Reproduction must occur or a species will become or a species will become extinct.extinct.

Reproduction continuedReproduction continued

Humans reproduce Humans reproduce sexually, which means sexually, which means the offspring receive half the offspring receive half of their genetic material of their genetic material from each parent.from each parent.Both males and females Both males and females have specialized have specialized reproductive systemsreproductive systems which produce gametes.which produce gametes.The reproductive system The reproductive system works in conjunction with works in conjunction with the the endocrineendocrine and and nervous systems.nervous systems.

Reproduction continuedReproduction continued

Amoeba are asexual, Amoeba are asexual, which means there is only which means there is only one parent, and the one parent, and the offspring are genetically offspring are genetically identical to the parent.identical to the parent.Asexual reproduction is Asexual reproduction is mediated by the mediated by the nucleusnucleus..Amoeba reproduce by a Amoeba reproduce by a mitotic process called mitotic process called binary fission, which binary fission, which results in two cells of results in two cells of equal size.equal size.

Reproduction summaryReproduction summary

All species must reproduce or they will become All species must reproduce or they will become extinct.extinct.Humans reproduce sexually, which increases Humans reproduce sexually, which increases the amount of genetic diversity within the the amount of genetic diversity within the species.species.Amoeba reproduce asexually. The only way the Amoeba reproduce asexually. The only way the genetic material of the offspring can be different genetic material of the offspring can be different from that of the parent is through mutation.from that of the parent is through mutation.The lack of diversity in asexually reproducing The lack of diversity in asexually reproducing organisms is offset by the rate at which they can organisms is offset by the rate at which they can multiply.multiply.

Final AnalysisFinal AnalysisAs we learned in the beginning of the year, As we learned in the beginning of the year, all organisms must carry out the 8 life all organisms must carry out the 8 life processes in order to survive. While there processes in order to survive. While there are many differences between the many are many differences between the many different forms of life on earth, there are different forms of life on earth, there are also some great similarities. Among these also some great similarities. Among these is the genetic material that determines the is the genetic material that determines the shape and behavior of all life. No matter shape and behavior of all life. No matter how different two organisms may be, how different two organisms may be, D.N.A. is D.N.A.D.N.A. is D.N.A.

Until next time, Adios Amoebas!!Until next time, Adios Amoebas!!