Study Guide Chapter 5 - Protists and Fungi

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts of protists, protozoans, and fungi from Chapter 5 study guide.

Protists

A diverse group of eukaryotic microorganisms that are not animals, plants, or fungi, typically being unicellular or simple multicellular organisms.

Protozoans

Unicellular, nonphotosynthetic eukaryotic organisms (animal-like protists) that usually show motor movement.

Protozoan Locomotion Structures

Specialized cellular structures used by protozoa for movement, including flagella, cilia, and pseudopods.

Cilia

Short, hair-like structures extending from the cell surface that beat rhythmically to provide locomotion in protists.

Microfilaments (Actin)

The cytoskeletal components required for cytoplasmic streaming and pseudopod formation in ameboid cells.

Chitin

A tough nitrogenous polysaccharide that forms the main structural component of fungal cell walls.

Lichen

A complex organism resulting from a mutualistic relationship between a fungus and a photosynthetic partner, such as green algae or cyanobacteria.

Eukaryotic Kingdoms

The biological kingdoms composed of eukaryotic organisms, which include Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.

Kingdom Fungi

The eukaryotic kingdom consisting of multicellular or unicellular non-photosynthetic organisms with chitinous cell walls that grow as hyphae.

Hyphae

The long, thread-like filaments that constitute the vegetative body (mycelium) of multicellular fungi.

Asexual Fungal Spores

Spores produced by mitosis without sexual recombination, primarily categorized into sporangiospores and conidiospores.

Mycoses

Infections caused by fungi in humans or other animals.

Pseudopods

Temporary cytoplasmic extensions used by ameboid protozoans for locomotion and feeding.

Immunocompromised Individuals

Persons with weakened or suppressed immune systems who are at an increased risk for opportunistic fungal infections (mycoses).

Flagellated Protozoa (Flagellates)

Protozoans that move using one or more long, whip-like appendages (flagella), which can cause gastrointestinal infections.

Ergosterol

A sterol present in the plasma membranes of fungi that maintains membrane integrity; targeting it causes toxicity specifically to fungal cells.