Which structure in amoeboid cells aids in movement and feeding?

Pseudopodia are temporary projections that form as extensions of the cytoplasm in amoeboid cells, facilitating both movement and feeding. These structures allow the cell to reach out and enclose food particles through a process called phagocytosis, where the cell membrane surrounds and engulfs the material. The flexibility of pseudopodia enables amoeboid cells to navigate through various environments, such as soil, water, or within living tissues, adapting their shape to explore and capture prey effectively.

While flagella and cilia are also associated with movement in some cells, they are not characteristic of amoeboid cells. Flagella are long, whip-like structures found in some protists and sperm cells, while cilia are short hair-like structures that cover the cell surface in various organisms, facilitating movement in a coordinated fashion. Microvilli, on the other hand, are tiny projections on the surface of certain epithelial cells that increase surface area for absorption but do not aid in locomotion or feeding in the same way that pseudopodia do. Thus, pseudopodia stand out as the key structural feature that enables amoeboid cells to move and feed actively.