An amoeba obtains its food through a process called phagocytosis. It extends parts of its cell membrane called pseudopodia around a food particle, such as bacteria or algae, and engulfs it. The engulfed food is then enclosed in a food vacuole inside the amoeba where digestion occurs with the help of enzymes. Waste materials are expelled later by exocytosis.

Key Steps in Amoeba Feeding:

• The amoeba detects food by chemical signals or movement.
• It extends pseudopodia (false feet) to surround and enclose the food.
• Food is enclosed in a food vacuole formed by the cell membrane.
• Digestive enzymes break down the food inside this vacuole.
• Nutrients are absorbed, and undigested waste is expelled from the cell.

Feeding Mechanism Details:

• This process is a type of endocytosis specific to solid particles.
• Amoeba's flexibility and cytoplasm streaming facilitate engulfing and digestion.
• Amoebas mainly feed on bacteria, algae, protozoa, and organic debris.

In summary, amoeba captures and consumes its food by surrounding it with pseudopodia and digesting it intracellularly in a food vacuole, a process known as phagocytosis.