protist

Question 1

Is the kingdom Protista a unique branch of tree life? Explain.

Answer 1

The Kingdom Protista is not a unique Branch of tree life, it is a kingdom of convenience with organisms that don’t belong to other sections. (Junk drawer of Eukaryote)

Question 2

What 3 categories do we use to classify Protista with their characteristics?

Answer 2

Protozoa: Animal like (hetero)

Protophyta: Plant like

Sacrophyta: Fungus like

Question 3

Which group do we think first evolved multicellularity?

Answer 3

Algae: based on fossil evidence from India and China which shows multicellular algae like organisms from 1.6bya.

Question 4

What is the difference between algae and plants?

Answer 4

Algae: Aquatic (do not have the tissues that plants have)

Plants: land

Question 5

How is Algae important for humans?

Answer 5

Important as a source of food and it is where Algar gel grow (microorganism on petri dishes)

Question 6

What two events had to happen in order for unicellular eukaryotes to become fully multicellular?

Answer 6

Ability to attach (extra cellular matrix)

ECM= Without the ECM, the transition to and maintenance of complex, multi-cellular life would not have been possible, as it ensures that cells work together harmoniously within tissues and organs.