Protists

Module 06: "Protists" and Fungi

Learning Objectives

• Protists

  • Explain why modern scientists do not recognize a protist "kingdom".

  • List unifying characteristics of eukaryotes.

  • Describe what is known about the origins of eukaryotes based on the last common ancestor.

  • Explain the endosymbiotic theory.

  • Describe the role of protists in the ecosystem.

  • Identify important pathogenic species of protists.

• Fungi

  • List characteristics of fungi and provide examples unique to each major phylum.

  • Describe fungi's roles in various ecosystems.

  • Detail mutualistic relationships between fungi with plant roots and photosynthetic organisms.

  • Explain fungi's decomposing role in the environment.

  • Identify fungal parasites and pathogens of plants.

  • Discuss the ecological significance of the fungal infection "Bd".

  • Describe different types of fungal infections in humans.

  • Summarize the significance of fungi in agriculture and food/beverage preparation.

  • Describe the importance of fungi in chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

  • Discuss the composition of mycelium.

  • Explain the mode of nutrition in fungi.