Amoebae are characterised by possessing clear protoplasm which form pseudopodia.  These pseudopodia are the means by which these organisms move and engulf bacteria and red blood cells for feeding purposes. 

The most common amoebae seen in the intestinal tract are Entamoeba hystolytica/dispar, Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba hartmanni. Endolimax nana, Iodamoeba butschlii and Blastocystis hominis. 

All but Entamoeba histolytica are though to be non-pathogenic although the pathogenicity of Blastocystis hominis remains controversial. 

The cysts can be identified in a formol-ether concentrate by the addition of iodine to reveal the characteristic inclusions and also by measuring the cyst using an eyepiece graticule. 

The trophozoites can be seen in a fresh saline preparation of the stool although accurate identification is on a permanently stained faecal smear.