Microbiology Chapter 8 Flashcards

Kingdom Protista Groups

• Three groups: Algae, Protozoa, Slime molds.
• Algae: Unicellular or form large structures like seaweed; vital in marine ecosystems.
• Protozoa: Unicellular, lack photosynthesis, utilize motility organs for movement and feeding.
• Slime molds: Decompose organic material, form spores similar to fungi.

Characteristics of Slime Molds

• Some slime molds possess flagella or pseudopodia, differentiating them from true fungi.

Protozoan Locomotion

• Flagellar movement: Protozoans use flagella that slide microtubules against each other, creating propulsion in water.
• Ciliary movement: Cilia beat in unison for motion and food movement towards the oral cavity.
• Pseudopodial movement: Extensions of cell membranes that attach to surfaces, allowing the cell to crawl.

Algae's Role in Marine Life

• Algae are crucial components of phytoplankton; fundamental for marine food chains.
• Phytoplankton generates more oxygen than Earth's forests.

Composition and Function of Algal Cells

• Cell walls are primarily made of cellulose, agar, and pectin.
• Algae contain chlorophyll in chloroplasts, enabling photosynthesis to convert sunlight into chemical energy.

Classification of Protozoans

• Protozoans categorized by locomotion:
  • Flagellates: Flagella
  • Pseudopods: Pseudopodia
  • Ciliates: Cilia
  • Sporozoites: No locomotion apparatus.

Identifying Protozoans

• Key identification criteria: locomotion apparatus, shape, size, number of nuclei, presence of cysts.

Cellular vs. Acellular Slime Molds

• Cellular slime molds consist of individual cells that cluster together.
• Acellular slime molds form a single multinucleated plasmodium.

Definitions and Key Concepts

• Acellular slime mold: Forms plasmodium.
• Algae: Typically unicellular; critical for phytoplankton; motile with flagella; cell walls of cellulose.
• Amoebas: Type of protozoan using pseudopodia for movement.
• ATP (adenosine triphosphate): Main energy source for cells.
• Chlorophyll: Pigment in algae responsible for photosynthesis, capturing sunlight for energy conversion.
• Chloroplasts: Organelles housing chlorophyll.
• Ciliates: Protozoans with cilia that aid in movement and feeding.
• Cysts: Dormant, resistant forms of protozoa, analogous to bacterial endospores.
• Diatoms: Algae with silica-based structures, creating sediment when they die.
• Flagellates: Protozoans with flagella for locomotion and feeding.
• Photosynthesis: Process converting sunlight into carbohydrates from CO2 and water.
• Phytoplankton: Free-floating plant-like organisms vital to oceanic ecosystems.
• Plasmodium: A cluster of fused cells in acellular slime molds.
• Protists: Diverse eukaryotic group excluding plants, animals, and fungi.

Test your knowledge of Chapter 8 in Microbiology with these flashcards. Learn about the three groups of the kingdom Protista, including their characteristics and differences from fungi. Perfect for quick reviews and studying key concepts.