Protists Class Overview

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Questions and Answers

What type of reproduction does histolytica primarily utilize?

Bud formation

Asexual (binary fission) (correct)

Sexual reproduction

Fragmentation

What nutritional mode does histolytica exhibit?

Photoautotrophic

Autotrophic

Chemotrophic

Heterotrophic (parasitic) (correct)

Which of the following best describes the reproduction method of histolytica?

It primarily utilizes asexual reproduction methods. (correct)

It exclusively reproduces through budding.

It reproduces both sexually and asexually.

It undergoes sexual reproduction only.

Histolytica's mode of nutrition can best be described as which of the following?

Utilizing organic compounds from hosts (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about histolytica is incorrect?

Histolytica relies solely on autotrophy. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What are the main reproductive methods of dinoflagellates?

Asexual reproduction (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures is NOT found in the anatomy of dinoflagellates?

Stipe (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which nutrient mode describes organisms that can perform both heterotrophic and photosynthetic nutrition?

Mixotrophic (B) Signup and view all the answers

What type of cell walls do algae have?

Gel-forming substance (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a unique feature of alveolates?

Membrane-enclosed sacs (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which pigment group is commonly associated with brown algae?

Carotenoids (B) Signup and view all the answers

What describes the characteristics of Pfiesteria shumwayae?

Produces toxins affecting fish (A) Signup and view all the answers

What describes the physical structure in algae that includes holdfast, stipe, and blade?

Thallus (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of organisms are Euglenozoans primarily classified as?

Predatory heterotrophs (A), Photosynthetic autotrophs (B), Mixotrophs (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key reproductive method of Kinetoplastids?

Asexual reproduction (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the byproduct of hydrogen generation in anaerobic processes?

Hydrogen gas (C) Signup and view all the answers

What disease is caused by Trypanosoma?

Sleeping sickness (D) Signup and view all the answers

How do Trypanosoma evade the immune response?

By altering their surface proteins (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which structural feature is unique to Kinetoplastids?

Rod-shaped and spiral structure (C) Signup and view all the answers

What nutritional mode is associated with Euglenozoans?

Predatory and parasitic modes (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of mixotrophs?

They can photosynthesize and consume organic material (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of nutritional mode do parabasalids primarily exhibit?

Heterotrophic (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a characteristic of parabasalids?

Have two equal sized nuclei (A) Signup and view all the answers

What type of flagella is found in parabasalids?

Multiple flagella (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the reproduction of parabasalids is true?

They utilize both sexual and asexual reproduction methods (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a unique feature of parabasalids related to their metabolic pathways?

They utilize anaerobic biochemical pathways (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is an ecological role of Trichomonas vaginalis?

Is a sexually transmitted parasite in humans (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a correct description of parabasalids?

Contain chloroplasts for photosynthesis (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the flagella of parabasalids?

Multiple flagella for movement (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mode of reproduction for Euglenids?

Asexual reproduction through binary fission (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the nutrition mode of Euglenids?

Mixotrophic, capable of both photosynthesis and phagocytosis (A) Signup and view all the answers

What cellular feature is unique to Euglenids?

Organelle filled with kinetoplast DNA (C) Signup and view all the answers

In which environment are Euglenids most commonly found?

Pondwater (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic does NOT apply to Euglenids?

They can reproduce sexually (A) Signup and view all the answers

What type of cellular structure do Euglenids utilize for movement?

Flagella (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding Euglenids?

They can switch between autotrophic and heterotrophic modes based on environmental conditions (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which pigment is primarily associated with the photosynthesis process in Euglenids?

Chlorophyll (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which pigment is associated with red/green algae and masks chlorophyll?

Phycoerythrin (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mode of reproduction for green algae?

Both sexual and asexual reproduction (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which feature distinguishes green algae from other types of algae?

Chloroplasts similar to land plants (C) Signup and view all the answers

What type of organism are slime molds classified as?

Amoebozoans (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary nutritional mode of cellular slime molds?

Heterotrophy (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic do charophytes and chlorophytes share?

Similar structures and pigment composition to land plants (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a unique feature of plasmodial slime molds?

Forms a multicellular body (C) Signup and view all the answers

How do slime molds aid in spore dispersal?

By producing fruiting bodies (C) Signup and view all the answers

What type of gametes do red/green algae generally lack?

Flagellated gametes (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the nutritional mode of plasmodial slime molds?

Heterotrophic (B) Signup and view all the answers

In what way do green algae contribute to aquatic ecosystems?

By forming the basis of the food web (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which group of organisms includes both protists that are closely related to fungi and animals?

Unikonts (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of charophytes that distinguishes them within the green algae group?

Complex multicellular structures (B) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Protists

Excavata: Characterized by an "excavated" groove on one side of the cell membrane. Includes modified mitochondria and unique flagella, with members being both heterotrophic and photosynthetic.

Diplomonads & Parabasalids

Diplomonads: Lack plastids and have highly modified mitochondria. Reproduce asexually and are heterotrophic. Possess two equal-sized nuclei and multiple flagella. Employ anaerobic biochemical pathways.
Parabasalids: Also reproduce asexually and are heterotrophic, often parasitic. Feature hydrogenosomes for anaerobic energy production and release of hydrogen gas as a byproduct.

Euglenozoans

Euglenozoans: Predatory heterotrophs, photosynthetic mixotrophs, and parasites. Notable for the presence of a large mitochondrion and a kinetoplast (DNA). Reproduce asexually and exhibit a mixotrophic nature. Feature either spiral or crystalline structures inside flagella.
Kinetoplastids: Reproduce asexually and are heterotrophic (predatory or parasitic). Characterized by a large mitochondrion with a kinetoplast. Includes Giardia intestinalis and Trypanosoma (causing sleeping sickness.) Display remarkable ability to evade immune responses.
Euglenids: Reproduce asexually via binary fission, exhibiting mixotrophic nutritional modes. Feature an eyespot that detects light, directing movement towards a light source.

SAR

Stramenopiles: Possess two flagella, one hairy and one smooth. Usually photosynthetic (diatoms, golden algae, brown algae).
Diatoms: Reproduce asexually and are photosynthetic. Feature a silica-based cell wall and are ubiquitous in aquatic environments.
Golden Algae: Reproduce asexually and are photoautotrophic. Often have yellow-brown pigments and two flagella.
Brown Algae: Reproduce both sexually and asexually, with a photosynthetic nutritional mode. Distinctive by their brown/olive pigments and complex multicellular structures reminiscent of plants.
Alveolates: Contain membrane-enclosed sacs (alveoli) under their plasma membrane. Include Dinoflagellates, Apicomplexans and Ciliates
Dinoflagellates: Mainly asexual reproduction and exhibit some mixotrophic behaviour. Reinforced by cellulose plates and have two flagella that cause rotational movement.
Apicomplexans: Characterized by asexual and sexual reproduction and a chemoheterotrophic nutritional mode (parasitic).
Ciliates: Feature cilia for feeding and motility and two nuclei (macro and micro). Usually reproduce asexually through binary fission. Exemplified by Paramecium.
Radiolarians: Reproduce asexually (no detailed example given in the text) and are chemoheterotrophic. They are known for their symmetrical internal silica skeletons and pseudopodia radiating from the central body.
Foraminiferans: Can reproduce sexually and asexually and are chemoheterotrophic, potentially also utilizing photosynthesis. Possess hard, pore-filled shell-like tests.
Cercozoans: Reproduction is usually asexual, and they are heterotrophic. Feature pseudopodia (feeding).

Rhizarians

Rhizarians: Move and feed using pseudopodia. Can utilize a cytoplasmic streaming process, using pseudopodia to transport nutrients. Includes foraminiferans and a group called Cercozoans.

Archaeplastids

Red and Green Algae: Photosynthetic protists thought to be very closely related to land plants. Contain pigments such as phycoerythrin that mask chlorophyll.

Unikonts

Amoebozoans: Characterized by lobe or tube-shaped pseudopodia. Include slime molds.
Slime Molds: (Cellular and Plasmodial): Form fruiting bodies to produce spores (for reproduction). Utilize different nutritional modes depending on feeding conditions.
Amoebozoa: A large group of protists that includes the slime molds and some other organisms.

Opisthokonts

Oomycetes (Water Molds): Reproduce using motile asexual spores (zoospores) and sexual reproduction. Are saprotrophs, breaking down organic material.
Tubulinids: Heterotrophs feeding on bacteria and protists. Ubiquitous in various environments.
Entamoebas: A parasitic group, mostly heterotrophic. Known for having trophic and diving forms and infecting vertebrates.
Nucleariids: Closest relatives to fungi, not fully described but closely related to fungi.
Choanoflagellates: Feature a unique feeding structure with a collar of flagella. Thought to be very closely related to animals.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the classification and characteristics of protists, including Excavata, Diplomonads, Parabasalids, and Euglenozoans. Learn about their unique structures, reproductive methods, and ecological roles. Test your understanding of this diverse group of eukaryotic organisms.