The World of Protists “Protozoa” A collage by Robert Magginetti made around 2001. His collection of collages combine natural history with a wide variety of images. Collectively they represent the varied and often contradictory elements of American culture.

Protists: What’s in the Water? Movie Trailer

What are Protists? Any organism that is NOT a plant, animal or fungus. All Eukaryotic (complex with nucleus & organelles) Most unicellular, some multicellular.

Where are Protists found? Live in aquatic environments fresh water salt water inside organisms

Classified by the way they obtain nutrition. Animal-like Plant-like Fungus-like Heterotrophs Autotrophs Heterotrophs

Characteristics of Animal-like protists Euglena They are classified by the way they move: a) pseudopods b) flagella or cilia c) some are parasitic Paramecium Amoeba

Movement of Protozoans

Plant-like protists Contain chlorophyll--but no roots, stems, or leaves Ex: algae or phytoplankton

dinoflagellate euglena diatom Red algae Green algae

Plant Like Protists

Fungus-like Protists Decompose organic materials Downy mildew on soybeans Slime mold

Ecological Role of Protists Plankton ( plant-like protists): Food source for larger sea animals: 1st link in ocean’s food chain Produce 70% of Earth’s oxygen

Ecological Use of Protists Human use: Sushi wraps Agar plates Ice Cream Algal bloom

Ecological Role of Protists May live symbiotically with other organisms Trichonympha- digestive system of termites

Protists can cause very serious diseases Amebic dysentery: a parasitic disease of the large intestine. African sleeping sickness: A parasitic disease of the blood and spinal fluid

Malaria: parasitic disease in red blood cells Giardiasis: Parasitic intestinal disease Malaria: parasitic disease in red blood cells