Amoebae Assemble Synthetic Spherical Particles To Form Reproducible Constructs

Langmuir. 2019 Apr 9;35(14):5069-5074. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b00333. Epub 2019 Mar 29.

Abstract

Difflugia are testate amoebae that use particulate inorganic matter to build a protective shell (generally called a test or theca). Difflugia globulosa were grown both in culture containing only naturally occurring theca-building materials and under conditions where synthetic particles were present also. The presence of monodisperse Stöber silica microspheres of 1, 3, and 6 μm in diameter or 4 μm polystyrene spheres dramatically increased the rate of Difflugia growth, and foreign microspheres became the overwhelmingly dominant construction material. Optical and electron microscopy of the 6 μm particle studies revealed that Difflugia construct spherical vase-shaped thecae with strikingly reproducible composition, morphology, and size. Time-lapse photography revealed construction techniques and masonry skills as Difflugia herded particles together, trapped them using phagocytosis, and applied the particles with biocement from inside the developing theca. The reported observations identify taxonomy complications, biomicrofabrication possibilities, and a discrete environmental impact of synthetic particle pollutants.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amoeba / chemistry
  • Amoeba / growth & development
  • Amoeba / metabolism*
  • Microspheres*
  • Particle Size
  • Particulate Matter / chemistry
  • Particulate Matter / metabolism*
  • Polystyrenes / chemistry
  • Polystyrenes / metabolism*
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry
  • Silicon Dioxide / metabolism*
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Particulate Matter
  • Polystyrenes
  • Silicon Dioxide