Rhizopods Light Microscopy

Rhizopods and Light Microscopy.

Rhizopods and Light Microscopy.

Rhizopods and Light Microscopy

Others of the rhizopods are slightly more advanced, especially the members of the genus Difflugia which build for themselves shells of sand grains, cemented to- gether in a perfectly regular form with each grain fitted into its place. If sand is scarce it will use diatom shells to construct its own shell, often taking those which are longer than itself, attaching them lengthwise, side by side and parallel to one another. Still another form, the most beautiful of all the fresh water rhizopods, lifts itself on a long stem and surrounds its body with a hollow latticed sphere through the openings of which the pseudopods (false feet) are extended in search of food. Any small animal or vegetable substance supplies the rhi/opods with food. Diatoms, desmids, Infusoria or anything small enough to be seized is grasped by a pseudopodium, sur- rounded by protoplasm and digested.