Biol 212 Lab Quiz: Protists

Plant-like protists

Plant-like protists

carry out photosynthesis, possesses chlorophyll a and membrane bound plastids. Key oxygen producers at the bottom of the food chain

Chlorophyta

mostly aquatic ancestors of modern plants

Volvox

freshwater green algae in the phylum chlorophyta, contain an eyespot for locating light

Spirogyra

freshwater green algae in the phylum chlorophyta, contain spiral chloroplasts

Diatoms

marine and freshwater algae in the phylum bacillariophyta, possess a type of silica shell called a test

Red Algae

filamentous marine algae in the phylum rhodophyta, red comes from a pigment called phycobilins

Polysiphonia

common red algae found all over the world, commonly eaten

Euglenophyta

phylum consisting of unicellular flagellated freshwater species. 1/3 of genera has chloroplasts, 2/3 does not.

Euglena

unicellular algae commonly found in freshwater. Photosynthesizes and has a pellicle instead of a cell wall

Fungus-like protists

slime molds and water molds that were once considered fungi

Slime molds

motile decomposers in forests and wetlands, reproduce via spores. Have complex life cycles where they undergo major morphological changes

Plasmodial slime molds (physarum)

multinucleate mass covered in slime, have stages of movement and dormancy

Cellular slime molds

exist as solitary amoeboid cells, they can form a mass called a pseudoplasmodium in bad conditions

Water molds (Saprolegnia)

commonly grows on dying or dead fish, aquatic decomposers. Cell wall is composed of cellulose

Animal-like protists (protozoans)

heterotrophic protists capable of movement. Divided into four groups based on how they move.

Amoeboids

move via pseudopodia (aka false feet). Tipped by a hyaline cap. Consists of amoebas, foraminiferans, and radiolarians.

Amoebas

mostly marine and freshwater, some parasitic. Acquires food via phagocytosis and waste is eliminated by exocytosis.

Foraminiferans

aquatic and marine protists with colorful shells made of calcium carbonate.

Radiolarians

possesses endoskeleton composed of silicon dioxide. thin and stiff pseudopods.

Flagellates

animal-like protists that move via flagella

Dinoflagellates

primarily marine, possesses a hard case made of cellulose and a single long flagellum

Zooflagellates (trichonympha)

animal like flagellates that live in freshwater, marine, and soil environments. Vast majority free-living, some can be parasitic.

Ciliates

marine and freshwater organisms that move via cilia, hairlike projections that cover their body surface. Have a macronucleus used for basic nuclear duties and a micronucleus used for sexual reproduction.

Apicomplexans

lack locomotor structures, move by living as a parasite in host organisms