Pseudopods or
pseudopodia (singular:
pseudopodium) (from the
Greek word
ψευδοπόδια,
ψευδός "false" +
πόδια "feet") are temporary projections of
eukaryotic cell membranes or unicellular protists. Cells that possess this faculty are generally referred to as
amoeboids. Pseudopodia extend and contract by the reversible assembly of
actin subunits into
microfilaments. Filaments near the cell's end interact with
myosin which causes contraction. The pseudopodium extends itself until the actin reassembles itself into a network.