7 Questions
What type of cellular structure do they have?
Unicellular with eukaryotic cells
What mostly performs metabolic functions in these cells?
Specialized internal structures
What is found in the vesicular nucleus?
Central body called endosome or nucleoli
Which of the following lack DNA in their endosome?
Amoeboid
What type of nuclei do ciliates have?
Both micronucleus and macronucleus
What does the plasma membrane enclose?
Cytoplasm and locomotory projections
What causes the nucleus to have a diffused appearance?
Scattered chromatin
Study Notes
What is Protozoa?
- Protozoa are unicellular, eukaryotic, and heterotrophic organisms.
- They can be either free-living or parasites.
- There are approximately 65,000 species of protozoa, categorized into different groups.
Characteristics of Protozoa
- Lack a cell wall.
- Have various cell organelles that perform different tasks, similar to organs in higher animals.
Cellular Structure
- Protozoa are unicellular organisms with a eukaryotic cell.
- Metabolic functions are performed by specialized internal structures.
- Typically have one membrane-bound nucleus in the cell.
- The nucleus has a diffused appearance due to scattered chromatin.
- The vesicular nucleus contains a central body called endosome or nucleoli.
- Nucleoli of apicomplexans have DNA, whereas amoeboid nucleoli lack DNA.
- Ciliates have micronucleus and macronucleus.
- The plasma membrane encloses the cytoplasm and locomotory projections like flagella, pseudopodia, and cilia.
Protozoa and Diseases
- Some protozoa cause diseases in animals and humans, such as:
- Plasmodium (malaria)
- Trypanosoma (sleeping sickness)
- Trichomonas (trichomoniasis)
Learn about the characteristics and cellular structure of protozoa, including their unicellular, eukaryotic, and heterotrophic nature. Discover how they differ from higher animals.
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