Protist doc

Protista

A diverse group of organisms that do not fit into the traditional kingdoms: Animalia, Plantae, or Fungi.

Eukaryotic

Cells that have a nucleus and organelles enclosed within membranes, distinguishing them from prokaryotic cells.

Paraphyletic group

A grouping of organisms that includes an ancestor but not all of its descendants, as seen in protists.

Amoeba

A type of protist that moves using pseudopodia (temporary extensions of cytoplasm).

Flagella

Whip-like structures that enable locomotion in some protists, notably Euglena.

Cilia

Short hair-like structures that provide movement in organisms such as Paramecium.

Malaria

A disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite, transmitted by mosquitoes affecting billions worldwide.

Phytophthora infestans

A water mold responsible for the Irish Potato Famine.

Algal bloom

Rapid increase in the population of algae in water bodies, often causing ecological and health issues.

Photosynthetic protists

Organisms that convert sunlight into energy, playing essential roles in aquatic ecosystems.

Cyanobacterium

A bacterium that can perform photosynthesis, thought to be engulfed by a protist to form chloroplasts.

Endosymbiosis

A process where one organism lives inside another, evidenced by the origins of mitochondria and chloroplasts.

Unikonta

A major lineage of eukaryotes that includes Amoebozoa and Opisthokonta (fungi and animals).

Excavata

A group of protists characterized by an excavated feeding groove.

Diatoms

Unicellular algae with silica shells, important primary producers in aquatic environments.

Stramenopila

Also known as Heterokonta, this lineage includes diatoms, brown algae, and water molds, characterized by hairy flagella.

Bioluminescence

The ability of some organisms, such as certain dinoflagellates, to emit light, often as a defense mechanism.

Conjugation in Ciliates

A sexual reproduction process in ciliates where two cells exchange genetic material through alignment and fusion.

Zygote

The fertilized cell that results from the fusion of gametes, pivotal in the life cycle of many organisms.

Phylogenetic placement

The classification of organisms based on evolutionary relationships, often illustrated in diagrams detailing lineage connections.

Nuclear envelope

A membrane that encloses the nucleus, separating genetic material from the cytoplasm.

Cellulose

A carbohydrate that makes up the cell wall of algae and provides structural support.