Question

What is a actinosphaerium's method of locomotion? (What does it use to move?) Is it a autotroph, heterotroph, or mixotroph?

Answer 1

Actinosphaerium performs locomotion with the help of axopodia. The axopodia ia the most distinctive feature of the actinosphaerium. The structure of the axopodia is long and parallel. The axopodia are used for prey capturing, cell fusion, mobility, and cell division. Two methiods of prey capturing have been noted which are rapid axopodial contraction and axopodial flow. The axopodia undergo retraction and reformation. As mentioned earlier, it relies on other organisms and captures prey for food, therefore, it is a heterotroph.