Kingdom Protista The Junk Drawer of The Classification System

Characteristics Live in moist environments Both unicellular and multicellular  Unicellular sometimes form colonies  Multicellular lack tissues Eukaryotic Both autotrophic and heterotrophic Both sexual and asexual reproduction

Three Major Groups Protozoa = Animal-like Algae = Plant-like Slime molds = Fungi like 50,000 different species!

Protozoa = Animal-like Classified by type of movement:  Cilia  Pseudopodium  Flagella  Sporozoa (No movement as adults) Parasitic

Protozoa = Animal-like Ecological Importance  Some have shell-like structures that from limestone deposits  Zooplankton – Food source

Protozoan Diseases Amebic dysentery  Attack intestines and then spreads  Causes cysts and chronic diarrhea African sleeping sickness  Transported by the tsetse fly  Causes lethargy, mental deterioration and even coma

Protozoan Diseases Giardia  Found in contaminated water  Causes severe diarrhea and cramping Malaria  Carried by mosquitoes  Causes chills, fever, fatigue, anemia, kidney damage, and even brain damage

Algae = Plant-like Classified by:  Photosynthetic pigments  Type of food storage  Composition of the cell wall

Algae Ecological Importance Phytoplankton – photosynthetic base of the food chain Some have sticky components to their cell walls that are used in cosmetics, gelatin, and cheese Diatomaceous earth is used in toothpaste, fertilizers, and paint remover Some store energy as oil used in making petroleum deposits

Algae – Environmental Problems and Sickness Red tide  Caused by some types of dinoflagellates that contain red pigments that turn water red and release toxins that are dangerous to humans

Slime molds = Fungi like Classification:  Colonial or have an individual unicellular component to their life cycle

Slime Mold Ecological Importance Decomposers

Slime Mold Environmental Impact May injure plants by covering them up or shading them They are unsightly in gardens