<P> The functions of pseudopodia include locomotion and the capturing of prey . Pseudopodia are critical in sensing prey that can then be engulfed; the engulfing pseudopodia are called phagocytosis pseudopodia . A common example of this sort of amoeboid cell is the human white blood cell . Human mesenchymal stem cells are a good example of a cell type which uses pseudopodia for locomotive reasons: these migratory cells are responsible for in - utero remodeling for example in the formation of the trilaminar germ disc during gastrulation . </P> <P> Pseudopodia do not all look like amorphous blobs; instead, they can be classified by their distinct appearances . Lobopodia are bulbous and amoebic . Filopodia are slender, thread - like, and are supported largely by microfilaments . Reticulopodia are very complex and bear individual pseudopodia that form irregular nets . Axopodia are the phagocytosis type with long, thin pseudopods supported by complex microtubule arrays enveloped with cytoplasm, and they respond rapidly to physical contact . </P> <P> Pseudopods can be classified into several varieties, according to the number of projections (monopodia and polypodia), and according to their appearance: </P> <Ul> <Li> Lobopodia (or lobose pseudopods) are bulbous, short, and blunt in form . These finger - like, tubular pseudopodia contain both ectoplasm and endoplasm . They occur in Lobosa and other Amoebozoa, and in some Heterolobosea (Excavata). </Li> <Li> Filopodia (or filose pseudopods) are more slender and filiform with pointed ends, consisting mainly of ectoplasm . These formations are supported by microfilaments . This is observed in some animal cells, in part of Filosa (Rhizaria), in "Testaceafilosia" (an artificial group including Euglyphida), in Vampyrellidae and Pseudosporida (Rhizaria) and in Nucleariida (Opisthokonta). </Li> <Li> Reticulopodia (or reticulose pseudopods), are complex formations where individual pseudopods are blended together and form irregular nets . The primary function of reticulopodia, also known as myxopodia, is the ingestion of food, with locomotion a secondary function . Reticulopods are typical of Foraminifera, Chlorarachnea, Gromia and Filoreta (Rhizaria). </Li> <Li> Axopodia (also known as actinopodia) are thin pseudopods containing complex arrays of microtubules and are enveloped by cytoplasm . Axopodia are mostly responsible for phagocytosis by rapidly retracting in response to physical contacts . This supposedly takes a strain on the helix, for after the sensory action has occurred, it then later on dies . Principally, these pseudopodia are food collecting structures . They are observed in "Radiolaria" (an artificial group inside Rhizaria) and "Heliozoa" (artificial also). </Li> </Ul>

What is the structure and function of a pseudopod