Protozoans — Animal-like Protists

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms related to Protozoans, including their characteristics, major phyla (Ciliophora, Sarcodina, Apicomplexa, Zoomastigina), examples like Paramecium and Amoebas, specific structures, reproduction methods, and associated diseases.

Protozoans

Animal-like, heterotrophic protists that ingest or absorb food.

Ciliophora (ciliates)

A major phylum of protozoans characterized by movement and feeding via numerous short cilia; Paramecium is a well-studied example.

Paramecium

A well-studied example of a ciliate, covered by a pellicle, with cilia for movement and feeding, and trichocysts.

Pellicle

A membrane layer that covers the cell of many protists, such as Paramecium.

Cilia

Numerous short hair-like structures that cover the cell of ciliates like Paramecium, used for movement and feeding.

Trichocysts

Spine-like structures found in Paramecium.

Contractile vacuole

An organelle in protists like Paramecium that lives in hypotonic freshwater, used to expel excess water and maintain homeostasis.

Macronucleus

In Paramecium, this nucleus contains multiple copies of the genome and handles everyday cell functions.

Micronucleus

In Paramecium, this nucleus is involved in reproduction and recombination, contributing to genetic variation.

Binary fission

A form of asexual reproduction where an organism splits into two (e.g., Paramecium, Amoebas).

Conjugation

A reproductive process in Paramecium where two cells form a cytoplasmic bridge to exchange micronuclei, introducing genetic variation.

Sarcodina (Amoebas)

A major phylum of animal-like protists that use pseudopods for feeding and locomotion.

Pseudopod

A temporary extension of cytoplasm that amoebas use to engulf prey and for locomotion.

Ectoplasm

The outer, thickened cytoplasm that amoebas may have.

Test

A hardened shell possessed by some species of amoebas.

Cyst

A dormant form that amoebas can create under harsh conditions to survive until favorable conditions return.

Apicomplexa (Sporozoans)

A phylum of parasitic protists that produce spores without fertilization, lack contractile vacuoles and locomotion mechanisms, and often have complex life cycles involving two or more hosts.

Spores (Apicomplexa)

Reproductive cells produced by Apicomplexa without fertilization.

Zoomastigina (Zooflagellates)

A phylum of protists that move using flagella; many are parasites and can cause human diseases, while some are free-living.

Flagella

Whip-like structures used by zooflagellates for movement.

African sleeping sickness

A human disease caused by zooflagellates, typically transmitted via insect vectors.

Chagas' disease

A human disease caused by zooflagellates, involving transmission via insect vectors.