Biology Chapter on Protista

Questions and Answers

What distinguishes protists from other kingdoms of life?

They have only been found in marine environments.

They exclusively reproduce asexually.

They are all unicellular organisms.

They contain a well-defined nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. (correct)

Which of the following describes diatoms?

They reproduce exclusively through binary fission.

Their cell walls are embedded with silica and form two overlapping shells. (correct)

They have a flexible pellicle instead of a cell wall.

They are not found in freshwater environments.

What is the primary role of diatoms in marine ecosystems?

They function as chief producers in oceanic environments. (correct)

They are decomposers that break down organic matter.

They serve as primary consumers.

They contribute to the nitrogen cycle.

What kind of cell wall do dinoflagellates have?

Stiff cellulose plates on the outer surface. Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon can be caused by rapid multiplication of red dinoflagellates?

Red tides that can be toxic to marine life. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of euglenoids?

They have a pellicle that provides flexibility. Signup and view all the answers

Which feature is NOT common to all members of the kingdom Protista?

Being multicellular in structure. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'diatomaceous earth' and its significance?

A sediment formed from diatom cell wall deposits, used in various industries. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes viruses from living organisms?

They are inert outside their specific host cell. Signup and view all the answers

What type of genetic material do most plant-infecting viruses contain?

Single stranded RNA Signup and view all the answers

Which scientist coined the term 'virus' and referred to it as an infectious living fluid?

M.W. Beijerinek Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the capsid in a virus?

It protects the nucleic acid from damage. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason viruses are classified as obligate parasites?

They must infect a host cell to replicate. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of viruses typically infects bacteria?

Bacteriophages Signup and view all the answers

What component of a virus is primarily composed of proteins?

Capsid Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following viruses is known to cause diseases like smallpox and influenza?

Various animal and plant viruses Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of fungi that distinguishes them from plants?

They are heterotrophic and absorb organic matter. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of hyphae are continuous tubes filled with multinucleated cytoplasm?

Coenocytic hyphae Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of Penicillium in relation to humans?

It is a source of antibiotics. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a method of asexual reproduction in fungi?

Karyogamy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of hyphae in fungi?

To absorb nutrients. Signup and view all the answers

What type of relationship do mycorrhizae represent?

Symbiotic Signup and view all the answers

Which stage occurs immediately after the fusion of two gametes in fungal reproduction?

Karyogamy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following fungi is known to cause a plant disease?

Puccinia Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary component of the cell wall in plant cells?

Cellulose Signup and view all the answers

What is the main mode of nutrition in animals?

Holozoic Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents the two distinct phases of a plant's life cycle?

Haploid and diploid Signup and view all the answers

What type of organisms are excluded from Whittaker's five kingdom classification?

Viruses Signup and view all the answers

How do higher forms of animals typically reproduce?

Copulation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the cell structure of viruses?

Non-cellular with an inert crystalline structure Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following plant groups undergo alternation of generation?

Mosses Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is unique to kingdom Animalia compared to kingdom Plantae?

Mode of nutrition Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of the mycelium in basidiomycetes?

It is branched and septate. Signup and view all the answers

How do basidiomycetes typically produce basidiospores?

Exogenously on the basidium. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes deuteromycetes?

They only reproduce via asexual spores known as conidia. Signup and view all the answers

What process leads to the formation of a dikaryotic structure in basidiomycetes?

Fusion of vegetative cells of different strains. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the kingdom Plantae?

All members are autotrophic. Signup and view all the answers

What type of environments do basidiomycetes typically grow in?

Soil, logs, and living plant bodies. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following fungi is classified under deuteromycetes?

Trichoderma. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about basidiospores is true?

They are produced on basidia. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Kingdom Protista

Protista includes Chrysophytes, Dinoflagellates, Euglenoids, Slime moulds, and Protozoans.
Members are primarily aquatic and serve as a link between plants, animals, and fungi.
Eukaryotic cells have a defined nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; some possess flagella or cilia.
Reproduction can be asexual or sexual, involving cell fusion and zygote formation.

Chrysophytes

Comprises diatoms and golden algae (desmids), found in both freshwater and marine environments.
Microscopic organisms that float in water currents (plankton) and are primarily photosynthetic.
Diatom cell walls have silica, forming indestructible two-shell structures, resulting in deposits known as 'diatomaceous earth,' used in polishing and filtration.
Diatoms are the chief producers in ocean ecosystems.

Dinoflagellates

Mostly marine, photosynthetic organisms with pigments that create various colors (yellow, green, brown, blue, red).
Possess stiff cellulose plates in their cell walls and two flagella (one longitudinal and the other transverse).
Rapid multiplication of red dinoflagellates, like Gonyaulax, can cause 'red tides,' releasing toxins harmful to marine life.

Euglenoids

Primarily freshwater organisms found in stagnant waters.
Have a flexible protein-rich layer (pellicle) instead of a cell wall and possess two flagella.

Viruses

Considered non-living acellular entities; composed primarily of proteins and genetic material (either RNA or DNA).
Viruses infect host cells to replicate, often causing cell death.
Dmitri Ivanowsky recognized viruses in 1892, calling them "venom" or "poisonous fluid."
Bacterial viruses, known as bacteriophages, primarily consist of double-stranded DNA.
Pathogenic viruses cause diseases such as mumps, smallpox, herpes, and influenza.

Kingdom Fungi

Diverse kingdom of heterotrophic organisms; includes edible mushrooms and parasitic fungi (e.g., Puccinia, causing wheat rust).
Bodies consist of hyphae (thread-like structures), forming a mycelium network; cell walls are made of chitin.
Fungi can be saprophytic, parasitic, or symbiotic.
Reproduction occurs vegetatively (fragmentation, fission, budding) and by spores (conidia, sporangiospores).
The sexual cycle involves plasmogamy (fusion of protoplasm), karyogamy (fusion of nuclei), and meiosis.

Basidiomycetes

Includes mushrooms, bracket fungi, and puffballs; the mycelium is branched and septate.
Asexual reproduction is rare; vegetative reproduction occurs through fragmentation.
Karyogamy and meiosis occur in specialized structures called basidia, producing basidiospores.

Deuteromycetes

Known as imperfect fungi; sexual forms were only discovered later and classified accordingly.
Reproduce solely by asexual spores (conidia) and play roles as saprophytes, parasites, or decomposers.

Kingdom Plantae

Comprises eukaryotic, chlorophyll-containing organisms; includes algae, bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms, and angiosperms.
Life cycle includes alternating sporophytic (diploid) and gametophytic (haploid) phases.
Some plants are partially heterotrophic (e.g., insectivorous plants like Venus flytrap).

Kingdom Animalia

Characterized by multicellular, heterotrophic organisms lacking cell walls; depend directly or indirectly on plants for nutrition.
Nutritional process is holozoic (ingestion of food); store food reserves as glycogen or fat.
Sexual reproduction involves male and female copulation, followed by embryological development.

Acellular Organisms

Viruses, viroids, and prions are not categorized within the traditional kingdoms due to their acellular nature.
Viruses lack cellular structure and are inert outside a living cell.

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Description

This quiz revolves around the kingdom Protista, covering various organisms such as Chrysophytes, Dinoflagellates, Euglenoids, Slime moulds, and Protozoans. It emphasizes their aquatic nature and the eukaryotic structure of protistan cells. Test your knowledge on their classification, characteristics, and reproduction.