Protozoa Classification Quiz

Protozoa

Introduction

Protozoa are unicellular eukaryotes that are diverse in their morphology and ecology, ranging from simple, flagellated forms to more complex plasmodial or encysting types. They can be either parasitic or free-living, exhibiting a wide range of behaviors similar to animals for predation and motility while lacking a cell wall.

Classification

In the Five Kingdom Classification, protozoa are grouped under the kingdom Protista, which includes unicellular eukaryotes. However, modern classification is also based on phylogenetic relationships, which divides living organisms into four domains: Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya, and Protozoa. Within this framework, protozoa are still typically grouped into various classes based on their morphology and life cycle traits:

1. Flagellates: Protozoans that exhibit flagella for locomotion and can be free-living or parasitic. Examples include Trypanosoma, which causes sleeping sickness, and Leishmania, which causes kala-azar.

2. Amoeboids: These protozoans have pseudopodia for movement and capturing prey. Examples include Entamoeba and Amoebea.

3. Ciliates: Aquatic protozoans that move actively with the help of numerous cilia. Examples include Paramoecium and Balantidium.

4. Sporozoans: Endoparasitic protozoans that reproduce by forming spores instead of using sexual methods. Examples include Myxidium, Plasmodium, and Globidium.

This classification can be further refined, with specific genera and species being identified within each group based on their unique features and habitats.