ch 27 protist

Superphylum Excavata $\rightarrow$ key phylum, defining feature, and genus examples?

Phylum: Euglenozoa. Feature: A unique crystalline rod running inside their flagella. Genera: Euglena (photosynthetic/mixotrophic) and Trypanosoma (parasitic).

Superphylum Alveolata $\rightarrow$ distinguishing cellular feature?

Small, hollow, membrane-bound sacs called alveoli located right beneath their plasma membrane to provide structural support.

Alveolata $\rightarrow$ Phylum Dinoflagellata: traits and ecological impact?

Traits: Cellulose plate armor with two perpendicular flagella that cause a spinning motion. Impact: Explode in population during warm seasons to cause Toxic Red Tides, releasing neurotoxins that poison marine life and humans.

Alveolata $\rightarrow$ Phylum Apicomplexa: traits, key disease, and genus?

Traits: Parasitic cells containing an apical complex (specialized cluster of organelles used to pierce and invade host cells). Disease: Causes Malaria. Genus: Plasmodium.

Alveolata $\rightarrow$ Phylum Ciliata: traits and genus example?

Traits: Coordinated rows of fine hair-like cilia used for swimming and feeding. Features nuclear dimorphism (one macronucleus for everyday functions + one micronucleus for sexual reproduction). Genus: Paramecium.

Superphylum Stramenopila $\rightarrow$ distinguishing cellular feature?

Individuals possess two flagella at some stage of their lifecycle, where one flagellum is completely smooth and the other is covered in distinctive, hair-like projections.

Stramenopila $\rightarrow$ Phylum Diatoms: traits and shell composition?

Unicellular, photosynthetic plankton housed inside an intricate, glassy, two-part box-like shell made entirely of silica ($SiO_2$).

Stramenopila $\rightarrow$ Brown Algae (Phaeophyta): traits and habitat?

Dominated entirely by complex, multicellular marine seaweeds. Form vast underwater habitats like giant kelp forests in shallow coastal waters.

Superphylum Archaeplastida $\rightarrow$ primary evolutionary trait?

A monophyletic lineage where all members contain double-membrane chloroplasts descended directly from an ancient primary endosymbiosis event with a cyanobacterium. Includes red algae, green algae, and land plants.

Archaeplastida $\rightarrow$ Red Algae (Rhodophyta): traits and commercial use?

Completely lack flagella at every life stage. Red color comes from accessory photosynthetic pigments. Used commercially to make Nori (paper-thin sheets of sushi wrap, genus Porphyra).

Archaeplastida $\rightarrow$ Green Algae: key structural types and genus examples?

Unicellular: Chlamydomonas (single-celled with two flagella). Colonial: Volvox (large, hollow green spheres made of thousands of flagellated cells). Multicellular: Ulva (flat sheets known as sea lettuce).

Superphylum Rhizaria $\rightarrow$ traits and pseudopodia type?

Single-celled amoebas wrapped inside hard shells (tests) that extend very thin, thread-like pseudopodia out through pores to trap food.

Rhizaria $\rightarrow$ Phylum Foraminifera (Forams): shell composition?

Hard, porous shells constructed out of calcium carbonate ($CaCO_3$).

Rhizaria $\rightarrow$ Phylum Radiolaria: shell composition?

Highly intricate, glass-like internal skeletons constructed out of silica.

Superphylum Amoebozoa $\rightarrow$ traits and pseudopodia type?

Single-celled heterotrophic amoebas that completely lack hard shells. Move and engulf prey by extending large, blunt, lobe-like pseudopodia.

Which protist pathogen causes Malaria?

Plasmodium (An Alveolate belonging to Phylum Apicomplexa, transmitted to humans via mosquito vectors).

Which protist pathogen causes African Sleeping Sickness?

Trypanosoma (An Excavata belonging to Phylum Euglenozoa, transmitted via the tsetse fly vector).

Which protists cause severe intestinal tracking illnesses (diarrhea/dysentery)?

Giardia (an Excavata that contaminates fresh water supply) and Entamoeba histolytica (an Amoebozoan causing amoebic dysentery).