23 Protists Classifications (AI) Flashcards
What are the main groups included in the supergroup Archaeplastida?
Red algae, green algae (chlorophytes, charophytes), and land plants.
Archaeplastida evolved from an endosymbiotic event between a protist and cyanobacterium.
What is the significance of red algae?
Important in agar production and can live at extreme depths.
How do green algae relate to land plants?
They share chloroplast structure and reproductive traits.
What type of movement characterizes Amoebozoa?
Movement via lobed or tube-shaped pseudopodia.
What are Gymnamoebas and Entamoebas?
Gymnamoebas are free-living amoebas; Entamoebas are parasitic forms.
What distinguishes slime molds from fungi?
Slime molds differ in cellular organization and life cycle.
What organisms are included in the supergroup Opisthokonta?
Fungi, animals, and choanoflagellates.
What is a characteristic feature of motile cells in Opisthokonta?
Posterior flagella.
What are Mesomycetozoa?
A small group of parasites affecting fish and humans.
What type of pseudopodia do Rhizaria possess?
Thin, filament-like pseudopodia.
What is the role of foraminiferans in the ecosystem?
They produce calcium carbonate shells, crucial for the carbon cycle.
What are the exoskeletons of radiolarians made of?
Silica.
What is the result of secondary endosymbiosis in Chromalveolata?
Incorporation of red algae.
Name three types of alveolates in Chromalveolata.
- Dinoflagellates
- Apicomplexans
- Ciliates
What is a unique feature of diatoms?
Unicellular algae with silica cell walls, major carbon fixers.
What are oomycetes commonly known as?
Fungus-like water molds.
What is the significance of Trichomonas vaginalis?
A common sexually transmitted parasite.
What does Euglena do in terms of nutrition?
Is mixotrophic (can switch between autotrophy and heterotrophy).
Which disease is caused by Trypanosoma brucei?
African sleeping sickness.
What is the challenge in classifying protists?
Their classification is complicated due to convergent evolution and variable genetic traits.
What mnemonic can help remember the six supergroups of eukaryotes?
‘All Adventurers Overcome Ruthless Challenges Easily.’
What does the letter ‘A’ represent in the mnemonic for eukaryotes?
Archaeplastida (Red & Green Algae, Land Plants).
Which supergroup includes giant kelps?
Chromalveolata.
Fill in the blank: The group that includes free-living amoebas is called _______.
Gymnamoebas.
