Protozoa 2 Flashcards
What type of organisms are protozoa?
Protozoa are eukaryotic, unicellular organisms with a membrane-bound nucleus and cellular compartments.
What is the nutritional mode of protozoa?
Protozoa are heterotrophs, meaning they require organic foodstuffs.
Do protozoa require oxygen?
Protozoa are obligate aerobes, meaning they require oxygen for survival.
Name the four main types of protozoa based on locomotion.
Flagellates, Rhizopuds, Ciliates and Sporozoans.
What is the preferred pH of protozoa?
Protozoa are neutrophiles, meaning they prefer a neutral environment.
What is the temperature preference of protozoa?
Protozoa are psychrophiles, meaning they prefer a cooler environment.
How do protozoa obtain carbon?
Protozoa are heterotrophs and obtain carbon by consuming organic matter from other organisms. Some have a mouth-like aperture called a cytosome.
Where do protozoa typically gather in soil?
An area called the rhizosphere, which is near the plant root, where they feed on bacteria. They mineralise nutrients and obtain excess nitrogen and sulphur, etc. which it will release to other organisms.
What disease is caused by Giardia lamblia?
Giardia lamblia causes giardiasis, which presents with symptoms like nausea and diarrhoea.
How do protozoa reproduce asexually?
Binary fission.
How do protozoa reproduce sexually?
Through conjugation - two opposite mating types will fuse together and exchange nuclei (mostly seen in ciliates).
What is the function of the food vacuole in protozoa?
The food vacuole carries out endocytosis, engulfing particles via phagocytosis (solids) and pinocytosis (liquids).
What is the role of contractile vacuoles in protozoa?
Contractile vacuoles are responsible for osmoregulation, helping maintain water balance and prevent the protozoan from swelling or bursting in hypotonic environments.
What is excystation in protozoa?
Excystation is the process where a dormant cyst reactivates and emerges when environmental conditions become more favourable (happens in the secretary vacuole).
What are the two types of nuclei in protozoa?
Macronucleus - Larger , more responsibility , carry out day to day activities.
Micronucleus - Smaller , responsible for genetic recombination.
How do protozoa benefit soil health?
Protozoa help enrich soil and enhance plant growth through excretion of phosphorus in the form of orthphosphate.
What is the ectoplasmic layer in protozoa?
The ectoplasmic layer is the outer layer of the cytoplasm, located just under the plasma membrane. It provides rigidity to the cell.
What is the endoplasmic layer in protozoa?
The endoplasmic layer is the inner layer of the cytoplasm, containing cell organelles.
What is meant by the pellicle in protozoa?
The pellicle refers to the cell membrane and its structures in protozoa. It provides structural support and protection and can be reinforced with protein strips beneath the membrane.
What is the function of the pellicle in protozoa?
The pellicle provides structural support and protection to the cell. It can also be further strengthened by protein strips deposited beneath the membrane.
What detrimental effect does Plasmodium malariae have on humans?
Plasmodium malariae causes malaria, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of a mosquito vector.
