The surface layer of the ameba is physiologically distinct from the
ectoplasm, although it differs from ectoplasm chiefly, if not wholly, by
virtue of its position only. That is, the surface layer is a true
surface tension film. There are no observations recorded which actually
show that the surface film of the ameba is a semi-permeable or plasma
membrane; but, on the other hand, there are no observations which speak
against such a supposition. On theoretical grounds the conclusion is
justifiable that the surface film as demonstrated by the movements of
attached particles is the plasma membrane.
The similarity of the movements of the surface film in ameba with the
movements of the superficial films of _Oscillatoria_ filaments, diatoms,
crawling euglenas, and probably also Gregarinidas, indicates that the
superficial films of all these organisms, including amebas, are all
activated by surface tension changes. Thus instead of postulating
several methods of locomotion which are fundamentally different from
each other, for these respective organisms (excepting the ameba), one
explanation serves the purpose; and it has the further merit of agreeing
more nearly with observation than the various other theories proposed.
From the point of view of ameboid movement, the discovery of the surface
film and its activities narrows down the problem very considerably. It
does not help _directly_ perhaps, in the solution of ameboid movement,
but it shows clearly that the region where ectoplasm is most rapidly
formed (at the anterior ends of pseudopods) is also the region where the
superficial tension is increased. This therefore gives us somewhat of an
insight into what must take place during the transformation of endoplasm
into ectoplasm.
Although the wavy path of the ameba does not at present relate itself to
any other process in the ameba, it is bound to be of the greatest
significance in investigating the intimate nature of protoplasm while in
movement. In so far as the wavy path concerns the ameba, it effectively
disproves the presence of that scientific monstrosity, random movement.
The path of the ameba is orderly.
The wavy path of the ameba represents a projection on a plane surface of
a helical spiral. The path of the ameba is thus geometrically related to
the spiral paths of free-swimming organisms such as ciliates,
flagellates, rotifers, swarm spores, worm larvae, etc. But the paths are
more closely related than merely geometrically. The effects produced by
temperature on amebas and ciliates and flagellates indicate a
relationship between the physical processes underlying the control of
the direction of the paths traveled over in free movement. No causal
distinction can yet be made between rotation on the long axis and the
spiral swinging.
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