KINGDOM PROTISTA Biology 112

Kingdom Protista All are simple eukaryotes (cells with nuclei). Protists are an unusual group of organisms that were put together because they don't really seem to belong to any other Kingdom Mostly microscopic Live in moist surroundings. Most unicellular *(amoeba); multicellular (seaweed/kelp) Autotrophs, heterotrophs, or both. Some can move - others cannot.

3 categories of Protists: Animal-like Plant-like Fungus - like

Animal-like Protists (Protozoans) * Unicellular heterotrophs * Four groups based on movement: pseudopods, cilia, flagella, non-motile sporozoans.

Protozoans with Pseudopods Ex: Amoeba 1.Phylum Sarcodine Pseudopods also called ‘False Feet’ Cell membrane pulls in one direction & the cytoplasm folds into the bulge.

Protozoans with cilia Ex: Paramecium 2.Phylum – Ciliates Cilia - hairlike structures - help organisms move, get food and sense environment. Unicellular with 2 nuclei: one for everyday functions and one for reproduction t=1&index=17 t=1&index=17

Ciliates, cont. Oral groove lined with cilia - moves H20 containing food into food vacuole at end of oral groove. Food vacuole breaks down food and sends through cell. Anal pore sends out waste.

Oral groove Contractile Vacuole Food vacuole food vacuole anal pore macronucleus micronucleus

Protozoans with flagella 3.Phylum zooflagelates Use long whiplike part called flagella to move. (one or two) These usually live inside other organisms

Trichomonas vaginalis: an STI Trichomonas vaginalis: an STI

Non-Motile Protozoans 4. Phylum Sporozoa – parasites Feed on cells & body fluids of host Sporozoans like plasmodium (causes malaria) feeds off liver and blood cells

Plantlike Protists Better known as algae Autotrophs (photosynthesis) Size: unicellular to very large Contain different pigments so they come in different colors. Algae perform 55-75% of all photosynthesis on Earth so it provides most of the world’s oxygen! Ex: colonial Volvox

Fungus-like Protists Fungus-like protists are heterotrophs that absorb nutrients from dead or decaying organic matter (decomposers/saprobes) Ex: slimemold, watermolds

Fungus-like Protists, con’t Land-dwelling water molds cause a number of plant diseases, including mildews and blights. A water mold Phytophthora infestans was responsible for the Irish Potato Famine!

Parasitic Protists

Parasite: an organism that lives off of a HOST organism (either on it or in it) and causes harm to the host. Vector: an organism that carries parasite, and can transfer the parasite to another organism. Parasite VectorHost

MALARIA Protist – Plasmodium Vector – Female Anopheles Mosquito 4 species of protozoans that carry malaria but Plasmodium falciparum is especially deadly

Vector / Protist? Page 503 of text~

Malaria WHO: million cases/year million deaths/year (more than AIDS) Symptoms: fever, headache, vomiting and other flu-like symptoms The protist lives inside the bloodstream eventually clogging capillaries and destroying blood cells, leading to death if untreated. O0lXE

African Sleeping Sickness Protist – Trypanosoma Vector – Tse Tse Fly

African Sleeping Sickness Occurs mostly in sub-saharan Africa Initial symptoms: fever, headaches, pain in joints Infects the CNS: causes confusion, lack of coordination and uncontrolled sleepiness. Leads to death if left untreated. 97Zg&feature=channel 97Zg&feature=channel

Giardiasis Protist - Giardia Infects ~ 200 million people worldwide Transmission: contaminated water (outdoor streams, other untreated water sources); day-care environments (fecal-oral route) Takes up residence in the digestive tract. Symptoms: severe diarrhea and vomiting.

Giardia