myxamoeba

1 9.9

A single cell that moves alone before joining others to form a slime mold

noun
/mɪkˈsæmiːbə/

Specialized

: mixamoeba

A myxamoeba can move independently in search of food before joining others for aggregation.

Examples

Have you ever seen a myxamoeba under a microscope?
When conditions change, each myxamoeba may aggregate with others to form a new structure.
A myxamoeba can move independently in search of food before joining others.
Scientists observed the myxamoeba stage under the microscope during their research on slime molds.
A myxamoeba can move independently in search of food.
When conditions are favorable, a myxamoeba can thrive and live freely before forming a larger structure.
In the life cycle of slime molds, a myxamoeba is a crucial stage where it prepares for aggregation.

Surface Forms

myxamoeba singular

myxamoebas plural

Morphology

myxamoeba = amoeba + amoeba (opaque) = myx + amoeba

A technical combining form 'myx-' (slime) is not familiar to average learners, so the meaning is not derivable from the base 'amoeba' by a B1 learner.

Etymology

The word myxamoeba comes from Greek parts myx- meaning 'slime' and amoeba, the common word for a one-celled creature. So, a myxamoeba is a 'slime amoeba', a single moving cell that lives alone before it joins others.