2003 AIPMT Biological ClassificationKingdom Protista: Amoeba Easy Question 101 of 117 in Biological Classification

The chief advantage of encystment to an Amoeba is : -

A The ability to survive during adverse physical conditions
B The ability to live for some time without ingesting food
C Protection from parasites and predators
D The chance to get rid of accumulated waste products

The answer is A.

Solution

During unfavourable conditions such as drought, extreme temperature or lack of food, Amoeba withdraws its pseudopodia, becomes rounded and secretes a thick, protective three-layered cyst wall around itself. This is encystment.
Inside the cyst it can survive for a long time; it may also divide by multiple fission (sporulation) to form many pseudopodiospores.
When favourable conditions return, the cyst wall breaks and the young amoebae are released.
So the chief advantage of encystment is the ability to survive during adverse physical conditions.

Concept Encystment in Amoeba

Biological Classification in past papers

117 questions from this chapter have appeared across 26 exam years.