Protista Flashcards
What are the common characteristics of protista
Simple
Eukaryotes
Single-celled
But can be joined together
They all live in moist environments because they have no protection against drying out
They usually reproduce asexually (binary fission)
What are protistas variable characteristics?
Microscopic (Amoeba)
Macroscopic (giant kelp)
Can be heterotrophs (unable to make own food)
Can be autotrophs (able to make their own food)
What are the two subcategories of Protista?
Plant-like Protista
Animal-like Protista
What are plant-like protista commonly called?
Algae
Characteristics of Algae?
simple
eukaryotes
aquatic
What is algae’s method of eating?
Autotrophic: contain chlorophyll in chloroplasts to make own food.
What do algae release during photosynthesis?
Large quantities of oxygen
How do algae reproduce
Asexually
What does it mean if algae are unicellular and microscopic?
Diatoms that have cell sales containing silica, and dinoflagellates that have flagella.
Example of Multicellular and macroscopic algae?
Seaweeds
Example of free-floating algae?
Diatoms and spirogyra
Examples of seaweeds that are fixed?
kelp
What are animal-like protists called?
Protozoans
What does it mean if protozoans are unicellular?
They are microscopic
What does it mean if protozoans are heterotrophs?
They cannot make their own food.
How would protozoans get food if they are heterotrophic?
Some ingest via phagocytosis for intracellular digestion (Amoeba)
Others absorb nutrients directly through the cell membrane (Plasmodium)
Swim around actively to search for food
What are the Protozoan groups?
Amoeboids
Ciliates
Flagellates
Parasites
How do Amoeboids move and feed?
By means of temporary cytoplasmic projections called pseudopodia
How do ciliates get food?
Use hair-like structures called cilia to swim
How do Flagellates move?
Use flagella
Parasites?
Non-motile
What is Plankton?
Refers to the numerous micro-organisms floating in currents of the open oceans.
What is Plankton divided into?
Phytoplankton (plant-like unicellular protists)
Zooplankton (animal like unicellular protists)
