Protists

Endosymbiosis

A mutually beneficial relationship where a larger cell engulfs a smaller cell, leading to the formation of chloroplasts and mitochondria.

Phytoplankton

Plant-like protists that serve as the base of the marine food chain.

Diatoms

Plant-like protists with cell walls made of silica.

Dinoflagellates

Plant-like protists that can cause toxic red tides.

Euglenoids

Plant-like protists that are autotrophs during the day and heterotrophs in the dark.

Protozoans

Animal-like protists that exhibit features such as flagella, cilia, and pseudopods.

Flagella

Tail-like structures found in animal-like protists used for movement.

Cilia

Tiny hair-like structures found in animal-like protists used for movement.

Pseudopods

False feet used by some protozoans for movement.

Fungus-like Protists

Heterotrophic protists that act as decomposers, not made of chitin, can be unicellular or multicellular.

Multicellularity in Protists

Algae is a protist that is not as complex as tissues in multicellular organisms.

Reproduction in Protists

Protists can reproduce both asexually and sexually, with some capable of both methods.

Advantages of Protists

Plant-like protists are the base of the marine food chain and some are edible.

Disadvantages of Protists

Certain diseases like malaria are caused by protozoa, and dinoflagellates can lead to harmful red tides.