Protists and Fungi

The protist kingdom is sometimes called the “junk drawer” kingdom because it is filled with organisms that don’t fit easily into other kingdoms. Even though some protists are unicellular and some are multi-cellular; and even though some are heterotrophs and some are autotrophs… All protists are eukaryotes Eukaryotes are organisms whose cells contain a nucleus. Protist Kingdom

Three Types of Protists Because protists vary greatly, scientists have proposed three ways of grouping protists. There are three different types Animal-like protists Plant-like protists Fungus-like protists

Animal Like Protists Like animals, animal-like protists have structures that enable them to move around. And these organisms, like animals, are heterotrophs. Animal-like protists are called protozoans and they are unicellular, unlike animals.

Protozoans With Pseudopods Pseudopods are temporary bulges of the cell membrane. The cytoplasm flows into the bulge and the rest of the organism follows. Amebas are protozoans that use pseudopods to move.

Protozoans With Cilia Cilia are hair like projections from cells that move with a wavelike pattern. Cilia move organisms by acting like tiny oars. Paramecium are protozoans that use cilia to move around.

Other Protozoans Some protozoans use flagella for movement. Other protozoans called sporozoans are characterized by the way they live. Sporozoans are parasites. Parasites are organisms who live on or in another organism and harm that organism. Hosts are the organisms to which the parasites live.

Plantlike Protists Most plantlike protists are called algae. All algae are autotrophs.

Fungus-like Protists Fungus-like protists are heterotrophs, have cell walls, and use spores to reproduce. Spores are tiny cells that are able to grow into a new organism

Fungi Kingdom Fungi Facts Use spores to reproduce Eukaryotes Heterotrophs Need warm moist places to grow Multi-cellular fungi are arranged in hyphae Hyphae are branching, threadlike tubes that make up the bodies of the fungi.

Food for Fungi Some fungi feed on the remains of dead organisms. Ex: Mushrooms Other fungi are parasites that break down chemicals in living organisms. Ex: Athletes foot fungus