Kingdom Protista Overview

Study Notes

Kingdom Protista Overview

Eukaryotic organisms that can be autotrophic or heterotrophic
Mainly unicellular, predominantly found in aquatic environments

Sub-divisions of Protists

Divided into three groups:
- Animal-like protists (Protozoa)
- Plant-like protists
- Fungus-like protists

Protozoa

Commonly referred to as "first animals"

Types of Protozoa

Ciliate:
- Moves using cilia
- Example: Paramecium
Sporozoan:
- Parasitic and non-motile, lives in/on hosts
- Reproduces via sporozite, akin to fungal spores
- Example: Plasmodium (causes Malaria)
Sarcodine:
- Moves using temporary extensions of its cell membrane called pseudopodia
- Example: Amoeba
Zooflagellate:
- Moves with whip-like tail known as flagella

Key Structures

Cilia:
- Hair-like projections that aid in movement and feeding
Pseudopod:
- Temporary bulge used for movement and feeding in Sarcodines
Sporozite:
- Form used by Sporozoans for reproduction
Flagella:
- Tail structure enabling movement in Zooflagellates

Fungus-like Protists

Function as decomposers
Includes slime molds, water molds, and downy mildew

Notable Fungus-like Protists

Water mold:
- Infamous for causing the Irish Potato Famine

Plant-like Protists

Euglenoids:
- Green, unicellular protists, primarily autotrophic but can switch to heterotrophic
Euglena:
- Possesses chloroplasts, contractile vacuole, flagella, and eyespot; capable of both autotrophy and heterotrophy
Algae:
- Includes green, red, and brown types, mostly multicellular and aquatic
- Examples: Seaweed, kelp, dinoflagellates, diatoms

Notable Examples

Diatom:
- Unicellular algae with glass-like cell walls, harvested for use in insecticides
Dinoflagellate:
- Unicellular, can be toxic, and exhibit luminescence
Giardia:
- Zooflagellate responsible for hiker’s illness
Paramecium:
- Common ciliate, recognized by its shoe-like shape and oral groove

Summary of Key Organisms

Plasmodium:
- Parasitic sporozoan causing malaria
Amoeba:
- A well-known example of sarcodine protists

Description

Explore the diverse Kingdom Protista, which includes eukaryotic organisms that can be autotrophic or heterotrophic. This quiz covers classifications such as animal-like, plant-like, and fungus-like protists, as well as various types of protozoa and their key structures. Test your knowledge on their characteristics and examples!