Biology: Protists Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What type of cells are all protists?

Eukaryotic

What does being eukaryotic mean?

Having a nucleus and organelles

What type of cellular organization can protists have?

Both A and B (correct)

Multicellular

Unicellular

Neither A nor B

What are the three subcategories of protists?

Plant, Fungus, and Animal Signup and view all the answers

What are animal-like protists called?

Protozoans Signup and view all the answers

How do animal-like protists resemble animals?

They can move and are heterotrophic Signup and view all the answers

What are the finger-like structures used for movement in certain protists?

Pseudopod Signup and view all the answers

What are Pseudopods used for?

To get food Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of a protist that uses pseudopods.

Amoeba Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a protist that has cilia?

Paramecium Signup and view all the answers

How do flagella help flagellates?

Helps them move Signup and view all the answers

What type of protists are considered parasites?

Sporozoans Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of a sporozoan.

Plasmodium Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic is common to all protists?

Eukaryotic Signup and view all the answers

What are unicellular protists that produce oxygen called?

Algae Signup and view all the answers

What type of algae are most brown, red, and green?

Multicellular Signup and view all the answers

What kind of photosynthetic pigments are used to classify algae?

Pigments Signup and view all the answers

The kingdom Protista is the most diverse of all the kingdoms.

True Signup and view all the answers

Protists can be grouped into 3 basic types: animal, virus, and plant-like.

False Signup and view all the answers

All protists are unicellular, eukaryotic, and have a nucleus with membrane-bound organelles.

False Signup and view all the answers

The __________ protists are all unicellular heterotrophs known as protozoans.

Animal-like Signup and view all the answers

Amoebas move and change their body shape by making extensions of their body called _________.

Pseudopodia Signup and view all the answers

Amoebas use _________ to pump out excess water.

Contractile Vacuoles Signup and view all the answers

Most amoebas reproduce _________ where they divide into two identical cells.

Asexually Signup and view all the answers

One group of protozoans ________ move by waving their flagella back and forth.

Flagellates Signup and view all the answers

Paramecium move by wiggling their thousands of hair-like __________.

Cilia Signup and view all the answers

Parasitic protozoans called _________ live inside hosts and can produce spores that make us sick.

Sporozoans Signup and view all the answers

Malaria is caused by a protozoan called _______.

Plasmodium Signup and view all the answers

The insect that is responsible for transmitting malaria-causing protozoans to humans is ________.

Mosquitoes Signup and view all the answers

What are two common characteristics of all protists?

Eukaryotic and live in moist environments Signup and view all the answers

What type of protists are plant-like?

Autotrophic Signup and view all the answers

What type of protists are animal-like?

Heterotrophic Signup and view all the answers

What type of protists are fungus-like?

Heterotrophic Signup and view all the answers

What is another name for plant-like protists?

Algae Signup and view all the answers

Why are protists so important?

They reproduce oxygen Signup and view all the answers

What gives algae their different colors?

Pigments Signup and view all the answers

Why do algae need different accessory pigments and chlorophyll?

To be able to absorb light at deeper levels Signup and view all the answers

What is special about diatoms?

Have glass cell walls Signup and view all the answers

What are pseudopodia used for?

To get food Signup and view all the answers

How are cilia and flagella useful to protozoans?

They can move Signup and view all the answers

How do sporozoans reproduce?

By spores Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of fungus-like protists?

Heterotrophic and can reproduce spores Signup and view all the answers

Which types of fungus-like protists are destructive to plants?

Spores Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of a slime mold?

Colorful Signup and view all the answers

What type of organisms break down organic substances into materials used by other organisms?

Water Molds Signup and view all the answers

What is the cell wall composition of plant-like protists?

Sugar Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Protists Overview

All protists are eukaryotic, meaning they possess a nucleus and organelles.
Protists can exist as unicellular or multicellular organisms.
The kingdom Protista features three main subcategories: plant-like, fungus-like, and animal-like.

Animal-like Protists (Protozoans)

Animal-like protists, known as protozoans, are heterotrophic and can move.
They utilize structures called pseudopods for movement and food acquisition.
Examples include the Amoeba, which uses pseudopods to change shape, and Paramecium, which moves using cilia.
Flagellates are a subgroup of protozoans that move using whip-like flagella.
Sporozoans are parasites that reproduce through spores and live inside host organisms; an example is Plasmodium, which causes malaria.

Plant-like Protists (Algae)

Plant-like protists, referred to as algae, are autotrophic and major oxygen producers.
Most brown, red, and green algae are multicellular.
Algae classification is based on pigments, which allow them to absorb light at various depths.
Accessory pigments and chlorophyll enable algae to capture light efficiently in different aquatic environments.

Fungus-like Protists

Fungus-like protists are heterotrophic, reproducing through spores and exhibiting characteristics similar to fungi.
Water molds play a critical role in breaking down organic materials, recycling nutrients in ecosystems.
Slime molds are noted for their colorful appearance and can exhibit complex behavior.

Key Characteristics of Protists

All protists are eukaryotic and thrive in moist environments, making them diverse in form and function.
Protists can be classified based on their nutritional modes: autotrophic (plant-like), heterotrophic (animal-like), or spores-generating (fungus-like).
The kingdom Protista is the most diverse of all biological kingdoms.

Importance of Protists

They significantly contribute to oxygen production in the environment.
Protists, particularly parasites like Plasmodium, can impact human health and ecosystems through diseases.
They play essential roles in food webs and ecological functions.

Miscellaneous Information

Diatoms are unique for their glass cell walls, which are composed of silica.
Protozoans use pseudopodia primarily for food acquisition and mobility.
Characteristics of slime molds include vibrant colors and complex life cycles.
Spores are critical for reproduction in sporozoans and certain fungus-like protists.

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Test your knowledge about protists with these flashcards! Each card focuses on key terms such as eukaryotic characteristics, types of protists, and their classifications. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of this crucial area in biology.