Ref ID : 790
Klaus Hausmann and David J. Patterson; Pseudopod formation and membrane production during prey capture by a Heliozoon (feeding by Actinophrys, II). Cell Motility 2:9-24, 1982
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Two phases of prey capture by the heliozoon Actinophrys sol are documented by electron microscopy. The phases are those of prey adhesion to the predator and enclosure of the prey by the predator. Adherence is brought about by numerous small pieces of adhesive membrane produced by the predator at the site of prey contact. Some of the heliozoan extrusomes expel their contents at this time, but the significance of this event is unclear. Enclosure of the prey is effected by a funnel-shaped pseudopodium. This is drawn over the prey by the action of the leading margin. The ultrastructural appearance of the cytoplasm of the leading margin differs from the rest of the cell, being homogeneous and finely filamentous. Both force and traction for the progression of the pseudopod are generated primarily at the tip. During the development of the funnel-pseudopod, extrusomes expand and fuse with each other and with the plasma membrane. Their investing membrane is thereby made available as food vacuole membrane.