Origin and Diversification of Eukaryotes

Eukaryotes

Organisms with membrane-bound nuclei and organelles.

Endosymbiosis

Theory explaining eukaryotic evolution from prokaryotes.

Protists

Diverse group of mostly unicellular eukaryotes.

Multicellularity

Evolutionary process allowing organisms to form multiple cells.

Excavates

Supergroup characterized by unique cytoskeleton structure.

SAR Clade

Supergroup named for stramenopiles, alveolates, rhizarians.

Stramenopiles

Includes diatoms and brown algae, diverse algae group.

Alveolates

Group including dinoflagellates and ciliates with alveoli.

Rhizarians

Includes foraminiferans with porous shells and pseudopodia.

Archaeplastida

Includes red algae, green algae, and land plants.

Unikonta

Supergroup containing animals, fungi, and some protists.

Diatoms

Unicellular algae with silica-based cell walls.

Dinoflagellates

Marine phytoplankton with two flagella and cellulose plates.

Ciliates

Protists using cilia for movement and feeding.

Foraminiferans

Protists with porous shells, often harboring algae.

Red Algae

Multicellular algae with phycoerythrin pigment.

Green Algae

Photosynthetic protists closely related to land plants.

Choanoflagellates

Single-celled organisms related to animal cells.

Cell Signaling

Mechanism for cells to communicate and adhere.

Apicomplexans

Parasitic protists, including malaria-causing Plasmodium.

Toxoplasma

Apicomplexan causing behavioral changes in infected hosts.

Photosynthetic Protists

Key producers in aquatic ecosystems, contributing to photosynthesis.

Ecological Roles

Single-celled eukaryotes impact ecosystems and human health.

Fossil Record

Evidence of early eukaryotic cells dating back 1.8 billion years.

Cadherins

Proteins involved in cell adhesion during multicellularity.

Nutritional Diversity

Protists exhibit photoautotrophy, heterotrophy, and mixotrophy.

Climate Change Impact

Warming oceans affect photosynthetic protists' health.

Malaria

Disease caused by Plasmodium, affecting human health.