Chapter 3- The Protists Flashcards
Terms and Definitions
The process by which unrelated organisms develop similar traits or adaptations due to similar environmental pressures.
Convergent evolution
Multicellular animals that develop from a blastula; includes all higher animals.
Metazoan
The cell membrane surrounding a cell, regulating the entry and exit of substances.
Plasmalemma
The gel-like outer layer of the cytoplasm in some protozoans, often involved in locomotion.
Ectoplasm
The fluid inner part of the cytoplasm, found in amoeboid organisms.
Endoplasm
Organelles in certain protozoans that expel excess water from the cytoplasm.
Contractile vacuoles
A network of tubules and vesicles involved in the formation of the contractile vacuole.
Spongiome
The difference in solute concentration across a semipermeable membrane, driving the movement of water.
Osmotic gradient
The process of controlling the internal fluid volume of a cell.
Volume regulation
The maintenance of proper solute concentrations within a cell.
Osmotic regulation
Organelles in some protozoans that can discharge filaments for defense or attachment.
Trichocysts
Specialized organelles that inject toxins into prey.
Toxicysts
Organelles in protozoans capable of expelling substances, such as trichocysts and toxicysts.
Extrusomes
Temporary extensions of a cell’s cytoplasm used for locomotion and feeding in amoeboid organisms.
Pseudopodia
Structure at the base of a cilium or flagellum that anchors it and organizes its microtubules.
Basal body (kinetosome)
Cylindrical structures made of tubulin that provide structure and support to cells, involved in cell movement.
Microtubules
A protein that is the building block of microtubules.
Tubulin
Protein structures that produce movement in cilia and flagella by sliding adjacent microtubules against each other.
Dynein arms
A motor protein that drives the movement of dynein arms in cilia and flagella.
Dynein
A structure surrounding the two central microtubules in cilia and flagella.
Central sheath
The central shaft of cilia and flagella, composed of microtubule arrangements.
Axoneme
The phase of ciliary movement when cilia push against the fluid, generating forward thrust.
Power stroke
The phase of ciliary movement when cilia return to a resting position, reducing resistance.
Recovery stroke
A category that encompasses both cilia and flagella due to their similar structure.
Undulipodia
Hair-like projections found on some flagella that increase the effective surface area.
Mastigonemes
The clear, rounded tip of a lobopodium in amoeboid cells.
Hyaline cap
Slender, thread-like pseudopodia used for sensing the environment and capturing food.
Filopodia
The movement of cytoplasm within a cell, helping distribute nutrients and removing waste.
Cytoplasmic streaming
A solid or semi-solid state of the cytoplasm, often involved in maintaining structure.
Gel
A liquid state of the cytoplasm, allowing for more fluid movement within the cell.
Sol
A type of pseudopodia that forms a network for capturing food.
Reticulopodia
Thin, radiating pseudopodia containing microtubules, functioning primarily in capturing prey.
Axopodia
A method of asexual reproduction where an organism splits into two or more parts.
Fission
A common form of asexual reproduction where a single organism divides into two identical organisms.
Binary fission
A form of reproduction resulting in multiple offspring from one organism.
Multiple fission
A method of asexual reproduction where a new organism grows out of the parent organism.
Budding
A form of asexual reproduction where an organism divides without mitosis and shares its nuclei.
Plasmotomy
A dormant form of a protozoan capable of withstanding adverse conditions.
Cyst
The process by which a cyst opens to release the active form of the organism.
Excystment
A membrane-bound structure in protozoans where ingested food is digested.
Food vacuole
A food vacuole formed by the engulfing of food particles.
Phagosome
Referring to the coordinated movement of cilia in a wave-like pattern.
Metachronal
Pertaining to organisms that live in groups, often composed of genetically identical individuals.
Colonial
Membrane-bound sacs beneath the cell membrane in certain protists.
Alveoli
The internal structure underlying cilia, organizing their movement.
Infraciliature
Fibers connecting cilia to their basal bodies.
Kinetodesmos
Referring to the collection of fibers that organize cilia.
Kinetodesmata
A structure made of cilia that functions in locomotion.
Undulating membrane
A complex arrangement of cilia functioning together as a single organ.
Membranelle
A type of ciliary organelle that tapers to a point.
Cirrus
A definitive mouth opening in some protozoans.
Cytostome
The outer covering of some protozoans, providing structure and protection.
Pellicle
Referring to two distinct forms or types of cells in an organism.
Dimorphic
Describing cells that contain two or more genetically different nuclei.
Heterokaryotic
Describing cells that contain one kind of nucleus.
Monomorphic
Pertaining to cells that contain nuclei that are genetically identical.
Homokaryotic
The larger, polyploid nuclei in ciliates responsible for regulating cell metabolism.
Macronuclei
The smaller nuclei in ciliates involved in reproduction.
Micronuclei
A form of sexual reproduction involving a temporary union of two individuals.
Conjugation
The haploid nuclei formed during meiosis in ciliates.
Pronuclei
A nucleus formed by the fusion of two pronuclei.
Synkaryon
Distinct forms within a species that recognize each other for sexual reproduction.
Mating types
Groups of mating types within a species that can mate with each other.
Syngens
Offspring produced from a parent organism.
Daughters
A form of self-fertilization in ciliates.
Autogamy
A protective outer shell or casing in some organisms.
Lorica
Referring to organisms that ingest food particles, typically solid.
Holozoic
Referring to organisms that actively prey on others.
Raptorial
A coiled, contractile structure found in some ciliates.
Spasmoneme
A smaller partner in a conjugation event in ciliates.
Microconjugant
Specialized structures in some ciliates that help capture prey.
Haptocysts
Membrane-bound structures found beneath the cell membrane in certain protists.
Alveolar sacs
The ability of an organism to produce light through biochemical reactions.
Bioluminescence
Symbiotic dinoflagellates that live in the tissues of corals and other marine invertebrates.
Zooxanthellae
The host organism in which a parasite reaches maturity and reproduces.
Definitive host
Organisms that host the parasite during its development before moving to the definitive host.
Intermediate hosts
Organisms that transmit parasites or pathogens from one host to another.
Vectors
The sexual form of a parasite, leading to gamete formation.
Gametocytes
Early developmental stages of certain parasites within a mosquito.
Ookinetes
The cyst form of the parasite, often resistant to environmental conditions.
Oocysts
The infective stage of certain parasites, injected into hosts by vectors.
Sporozoites
A stage in the life cycle of some parasites where the organism undergoes asexual reproduction.
Schizont
The products of division of a schizont, which invade host cells.
Merozoites
A vestigial plastid found in apicomplexan parasites, essential for their survival.
Apicoplast
Parasites that live on other parasites.
Hyperparasites
The process by which a cell engulfs solid particles or microorganisms.
Phagocytosis
The structure formed by the extension of pseudopodia during food capture.
Food cup:
The process of engulfing liquid material by a cell.
Pinocytosis
A large, resistant structure formed by some protozoans for survival.
Macrocyst
A mass of cytoplasm containing many nuclei, a form of some slime molds.
Plasmodium
A type of plasmodium that is made up of many individual cells.
92. Sporangia: Structures in which spores are produced.
Pseudoplasmodium
Structures in which spores are produced.
Sporangia
Thin, long pseudopodia that extend from certain protozoans and are often involved in capturing prey.
Axopodia
The inner region of a radiolarian or acantharian.
Intracapsular zone
The outer region of a radiolarian or acantharian where digestion occurs.
Extracapsular zone
Tiny, finger-like projections that increase the surface area of cells.
Microvilli
Organisms that can produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.
Autotrophic
A light-sensitive organelle in some flagellated organisms.
Stigma
