Protists - Bio 111

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to the study of protists in a biology context.

Protist

Diverse group of eukaryotic microorganisms that are not animals, plants, or fungi.

Supergroup

A higher taxonomic level that encompasses major groups of related organisms.

Eukaryote

Organisms whose cells contain a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.

Polyphyletic

A group derived from more than one common evolutionary ancestor.

Paraphyletic

A group that includes an ancestral species and some, but not all, of its descendants.

Endosymbiont Theory

The theory that eukaryotic cells evolved from a symbiotic relationship between prokaryotic cells.

Multicellularity

Organisms made up of multiple cells, allowing for specialization and complexity.

Motility

The ability of an organism to move independently using metabolic energy.

Photosynthesis

The process by which organisms convert light energy into chemical energy.

Heterotroph

Organisms that obtain food by consuming other organisms or organic matter.

Mixotroph

Organisms that can use both photosynthesis and heterotrophy to obtain energy.

Plankton

Small aquatic organisms that float or drift in water, often unicellular and diverse.

Cyst

A dormant form of a unicellular organism that can survive unfavorable conditions.

Zygote

A diploid cell resulting from the fusion of two haploid gametes.

Gametophyte

The haploid stage in the life cycle of a plant that produces gametes.

Sporophyte

The diploid stage in the life cycle of a plant that produces spores.

Conjugation

A form of sexual reproduction in which two organisms exchange genetic material.

Phagocytosis

The process by which a cell engulfs a particle or organism.

Apicomplexa

A group of parasitic protists, including pathogens like Plasmodium.

Dinoflagellates

Protists known for their role in red tides and some that are photosynthetic.

Ciliates

Protists that move using hair-like structures called cilia.

Stramenopila

A supergroup that includes diatoms and brown algae.

Rhizaria

A supergroup of protists primarily characterized by their amoeboid forms.

Amoebozoa

A supergroup comprised of organisms that move using pseudopodia.

Opisthokonta

A supergroup that includes animals, fungi, and related protists.

Chloroplast

An organelle found in plants and algae, responsible for photosynthesis.

Mitochondria

Organelles known as the powerhouses of the cell, generating ATP.

Endomembrane System

A collection of membranes that divide the cell into functional compartments.

Eyespot

A light-sensitive organelle found in some protists, allowing them to sense light.

Diatoms

A group of unicellular algae known for their silica shells and role in aquatic ecosystems.

Cryptosporidium

A genus of parasitic protists known for causing intestinal illness.

Laminaria

A genus of brown algae that exhibits complex life cycles.

Euglenoids

A group of protists that possess both chloroplasts and movements via flagella.

Trypanosoma

A genus of parasitic protists known for causing diseases like sleeping sickness.

Giardia

A genus of protists that causes gastrointestinal infections in humans.

Zygotic Life Cycle

A life cycle where diploid zygotes develop into adult organisms directly.

Alternation of Generations

A life cycle that alternates between haploid and diploid phases.

Mixotrophic Organisms

Organisms capable of both autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition.

Periphyton

A complex mix of algae and microorganisms attached to underwater surfaces.

Nuclear Envelope

The double membrane surrounding the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.

Sexual Reproduction

Reproductive process that involves the combination of genetic materials from two parents.

Asexual Reproduction

Reproductive process that involves only one parent, producing genetically identical offspring.

Plasmodium

Genus of protozoan parasites responsible for malaria.

Cryptic Species

Species that are morphologically similar but genetically distinct.