Photosynthetic Protists and Endosymbiosis

These flashcards cover key concepts related to photosynthetic protists and endosymbiosis drawn from lecture notes, including definitions, classifications, and biological roles.

Protist

A diverse group of mostly unicellular eukaryotic organisms that lack a cell wall and can vary in body type and feeding methods.

Endosymbiosis

A relationship in which one organism lives inside another, forming a mutualistic relationship; critical for the evolution of plastids.

Thallus

The body of an algae; can be unicellular, filamentous, or multicellular.

Excavata

A supergroup of protists characterized by an 'excavated' groove along the side of the body, often with reduced mitochondria.

Diatoms

A group of unicellular algae with silica-based cell walls and important roles in marine food chains.

Chlorophyll

A green pigment found in plants and algae vital for photosynthesis.

Mixotrophic

An organism that can obtain nutrients through both photosynthesis and heterotrophy.

Apicoplast

A reduced form of a plastid found in some Apicomplexa that plays a role in fatty acid synthesis.

Pellicle

A flexible outer covering found in some protists, such as Euglenozoa.

Heterokonts

A group of protists characterized by having two different types of flagella.

Accessory pigments

Pigments that assist chlorophyll in capturing light energy during photosynthesis.

Alternation of generations

A reproductive cycle involving both a multicellular haploid phase and a multicellular diploid phase.

Kelp forests

Underwater areas with a high density of kelp, which provide habitat and contribute to carbon fixation.

Euglenozoa

A clade of protists that includes both photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic members, characterized by their flagella.

Harmful algal blooms

Rapid growth of algae that can produce toxins and negatively impact marine environments.

Plastid pigments

Pigments found in plastids that absorb light for photosynthesis, varying among different algal lineages.