Bio Exam 2 - Section 7 (Protists 1)

Convergent Evolution

the process whereby distantly related organisms independently evolve similar traits to adapt to similar environmental conditions

Mixotroph

an organism that can use a mix of different sources of energy and carbon, instead of having a single trophic mode (typically organisms that can be both photoautotrophs and chemoheterophs)

Protist

a eukaryotic organism that is not an animal, plant, or fungus; most are single celled but there are examples of colonial and multicellular species

monophyletic

a set of organisms that includes a single common ancestor and all of its descendants, forming a complete branch on the tree of life

Euglenozoa

a diverse group of single-celled protists distinguished by their whip-like flagella, which contain a unique internal rod structure

Alveolata

a major group of single-celled eukaryotes characterized by having flattened, membrane-bound sacs called alveoli located just under the cell membrane

diplomonads

are a group of microscopic, single-celled eukaryotes known for having two nuclei and multiple flagella; Most are parasitic and live in the intestines of animals, but some are free-living

Parabasalipids

>lack a functional mitochondria have a flagella

>also mostly parasitic

trypanosoma

a group of pretty nasty parasites that cause chagas disease, and African Sleeping Sickness among other diseases

African Sleeping sickness

tsetse fly, fatigue, and confusion and death

chagas

kissing bug 8-11 million cases a year, 40,000 deaths a year, and long lasting acute symptoms (stomach and heart)

Major groups for K. Alveolata

>dinoflagellates

>apicomplexans

>ciliates

Ciliate

a single-celled organism characterized by the presence of numerous ciliashort hair-like structures that cover its outer surface, used for movement and feeding

Dinoflagellates

>frames of cellulose within cell walls, perpendicular grooves that contain flagella

>comprise much of the phytoplankton

Dinoflagellates + Coral Reefs

>reef building Cnidarians engulf dinoflagellates but do not digest them

>These zooxanthellae provide energy from photosynthesis in exchange for a nice place to live

Dinoflagellates + Red Tides

>harmful algal blooms

>the dinoflagellates release toxins into the water which kills fish and other aquatic life

>Bioaccumulation effects can poison heterotrophs like us

Perhaps some good comes from our fertilizer abuse?

The water from the creek will get dumped into the ocean, it is warm water runoff and that is what causes the red tides; a coral reef came from the fertilizer abuse

Apicomplexans - K. Alveolata

key character is the apical complex, cluster of microtubules and organelles in the apex of the cell in the infections stage; helps burrow into host cells