Protists

Kingdom Protista

A classification of eukaryotic organisms that includes unicellular and some multicellular forms, appearing about 1.5 billion years ago.

Eukaryotic

Organisms whose cells contain a nucleus and other organelles enclosed within membranes.

Unicellular

Organisms consisting of a single cell.

Multicellular

Organisms made up of multiple cells.

Asexual Reproduction

A method of reproduction that does not involve the fusion of gametes, such as binary fission.

Sexual Reproduction

A method of reproduction that involves the fusion of gametes, such as conjugation.

Plant-like Protists

Also known as algae, these protists contain chlorophyll and perform photosynthesis.

Animal-like Protists

Also called protozoans, these are heterotrophic protists that capture and ingest their food.

Fungi-like Protists

Heterotrophic protists that feed on bacteria and decaying organic matter, reproducing asexually.

Pseudopods

Temporary projections of a cell used for locomotion and phagocytosis, exemplified by amoeba.

Cilia

Short, hair-like projections that provide movement in watery environments and assist with food gathering, as seen in paramecium.

Flagella

Long, hair-like projections that generate feeding currents and can vary in number, as seen in Euglena.

Dinoflagellates

A type of plant-like protist that contributes to plankton and can cause red tides.

Diatoms

Plant-like protists with silica cell walls, important as a food source for marine organisms.

Giardia lamblia

An intestinal parasite that causes giardiasis, leading to diarrhea and abdominal cramps.

Balantidium coli

An intestinal protozoan parasite that can cause persistent diarrhea and abdominal pain in humans.

Amoebic Dysentery

A disease caused by amoeba that can lead to severe intestinal issues.

Plasmodium

A genus of sporozoans that causes malaria in humans.

Cellular Slime Moulds

Fungi-like protists found in moist environments that have unusual morphology and ingest food.

Plasmodial Slime Moulds

Large, multicellular structures that are a single mass of cytoplasm with many nuclei.

Water Moulds

Fungi-like protists resembling white fuzz on dead fish, some of which are plant parasites.

Harmful Algae Bloom

A rapid increase in algae that can have negative effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health.

Symbiotic Relationships

Interactions between different organisms that can be beneficial or harmful, including parasitic relationships.