Module 2: Protists: Reproduction, Nutrition, and Supergroups

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key terms about protist reproduction, nutritional modes, and supergroups discussed in the lecture notes.

Conjugation

A form of sexual reproduction in which two different mating types exchange genetic material.

Binary Fission (in Paramecia)

An asexual process where a single Paramecium divides into two genetically identical daughter cells.

Diatoms

Photosynthetic protists placed in the supergroup Chromalveolata, known for their silica cell walls.

Chromalveolata

A eukaryotic supergroup that includes many photosynthetic algae such as diatoms and dinoflagellates.

Archaeplastids

A supergroup that contains photosynthetic organisms, including green and red algae as well as land plants.

Excavates

A supergroup of protists often called flagellates because they move with one or more flagella; many are heterotrophic.

Amoebozoans

A supergroup of heterotrophic protists that move and feed using pseudopodia.

Photosynthetic Algae

Autotrophic protists capable of producing their own food using sunlight through photosynthesis.

Heterotrophic Algae

Protists that cannot make their own food and must obtain nutrients by ingestion or absorption.

Autotroph

An organism that produces its own food, typically through photosynthesis; contrasts with heterotroph.

Heterotroph

An organism that must obtain its food from other organisms because it cannot synthesize its own organic compounds.

Euglena

A green, flagellated excavate protist that can be both photosynthetic and heterotrophic.

Pseudopodia

Temporary, foot-like extensions of cytoplasm used by amoebozoans for movement and feeding.

Flagella

Long, whip-like cellular appendages that propel many excavate protists through water.

Dinoflagellates

Mostly marine chromalveolate protists; some species produce toxins that can accumulate in seafood and harm humans (e.g., red tides).