Animal-like Protists and Their Characteristics

Study Notes

Animal-Like Protists

All animal-like protists are heterotrophs, except Phytomastigophora, which are autotrophic.

Flagellated Animal-Like Protists (Protozoans)

Possess flagella for locomotion.
May be free-living aquatics, parasites, commensals, or symbionts.
Phytoflagellates are aquatic and live in fresh or marine waters.
Zooflagellates are generally uninucleated, occasionally multinucleate.

Amoebid Animal-Like Protists (Protozoans)

Develop pseudopodia (temporary protoplasmic outgrowths) for locomotion and engulfing food articles.
Sarcodines are mostly free-living (e.g., Amoeba proteus) and found in fresh water, sea water, and on damp soil.
Some species, like Entamoeba histolytica, are parasitic.

Sporozoans

All sporozoans are endoparasites.
Some sporozoans, such as Eimeria sp., cause severe diseases like coccidiosis in birds.
Nutrition is parasitic (absorptive), and phagotrophy is rare.

Ciliated Animal-Like Protists (Protozoans)

Ciliates develop a number of cilia during a part or whole of the life cycle.
Use cilia for locomotion and driving food.
Show a high degree of morphological and physiological specialization.
Have definite regions for ingestion and egestion.
The region of ingestion consists of an oral groove.

Description

Explore the characteristics of animal-like protists, including their heterotrophic nature and different major groups like flagellated Protozoans and Phytomastigophora. Learn about their habitats, locomotion methods, and ecological roles in various environments.