KINGDOM PROTISTA

FYI: Overview Cell number: Unicellular/Multicellular Cell type: Eukaryotic Nutrition: Autotrophs & Heterotrophs Habitat: Moist environments

Overview Divided into three categories: 1. animal-like 2. plant-like 3. fungus-like

Animal-like Protists Protozoa—single-celled microscopic organisms that can move independently FYI Heterotrophic Can be parasitic (live off other organisms, cause disease) Live most anywhere that moisture is available

Protozoa: Types of Locomotion (movement) 1. cilia—short, hair-like projections 2. flagella—long, whip-like “tails” 3. pseudopodia (“false feet”)—large, round cytoplasmic extensions that help move cell. They also surround and engulf food.

Protozoa in the News Calvin and Hobbes (Bill Watterson)

Types of Protozoa: Amoebas 1. Ameobas Use pseudopodia Shape constantly changes Live in fresh or salt water, soil Amoeba engulfing a paramecium

Types of Protozoa: Ciliates 2. Ciliates Use cilia Live in ponds, slow moving streams Example: Paramecium Ciliated protozoan

Types of Protozoa: Flagellates 3. Flagellates Have 1 or more flagella Live in lakes, ponds Many are parasitic Ex: Giardia lamblia (intestinal parasite)

Types of Protozoa: Sporozoans 4. Sporozoans Produce spores Many adult forms have no locomotion Many are parasitic, live in blood and tissue of host

FYI: Plant-like Protists: Algae Unicellular or multicellular ALGAE Can be very large OR microscopic Photoautotrophic, go through photosynthesis Reasons why algae is not a plant: – Lack organs (don’t have leaves, roots, stems) – Different type of reproduction than plants

Algae Phytoplankton—microscopic protists that live in water – Major source of food for ocean life – Major producer for food chain

Unicellular Algae: Euglena Have flagella Live in fresh water Contractile vacuole —gets rid of excess water (hypotonic environments)

Euglena Very flexible (no cell wall) Usually photosynthetic, but can be heterotrophic Has an eyespot—helps cell find light

Unicellular Algae: Diatoms Photosynthetic Outer shells made of silica (glass-like material) Release large amounts of oxygen Diatomaceous earth —when diatoms die, they settle at the bottom of oceans. Build up over time into layers. Material used as abrasive in cleaning supplies and toothpaste

Unicellular Algae: Dinoflagellates Small, usually unicellular Most photosyn., but can be heterotrophs Tend to be yellow, green or red Some are bioluminescent (glow)

Dinoflagellates Some produce “red tides” – release a toxin that kills fish and humans if we eat contaminated food

Multicellular Algae: Red Algae Ocean seaweed Live in deep waters Used as a food (nori)

Multicellular Algae: Green Algae Can be unicellular Most diverse group of algae Most live in fresh water, but can live in oceans, soil

Green Algae Some are colonial (many cells living together) Ex. Volvox

Multicellular Algae: Brown Algae Usually in salt water Large Ex. Kelp

FYI: Fungus-like Protists 1st part of life cycle spent as an amoeba-like organisms Later, they grow and look like a slimy, white/yellow mold Can be seen without microscope Dog Vomit Mold

Fungus-like Protists Two types: 1. slime molds 2. water molds Examples: – white “fuzz” on dead fish/leaves – Potato Blight that caused the Irish Potato Famine All are DECOMPOSERS!

Protists Reproduction 1. binary fission— asexual 2. conjugation— asexual 3. fragmentation—asexual; algae will break into pieces and each piece grows into a new individual

Directions for the Protist Worksheet Follow these directions step-by-step!!! Answer all questions about Euglena & Amoebas ONLY!!! Label the Euglena (see p. 511) and the Paramecium (see p. 507)

Amoebas Can cause disease: Amoebic dysentery --spread by contaminated food or water; causes severe intestinal problems; can be fatal

Sporozoans Ex: toxoplasmosis—why pregnant women should not change litterboxes Plasmodium—causes malaria, spread by bite of female Anopheles mosquito

KINGDOM FUNGI

Overview Eukaryotic Can be uni- or multicellular Heterotrophic always (they absorb nutrients) Cell walls made of chitin (a tough polysaccharide)

Structure Hyphae—hair-like filaments of fungi that can group together to form larger structures

Nutrition Fungi release enzymes that break down food outside of cells. Then, the fungi absorbs the nutrients from their surroundings

How They Eat 1. Saprophyte—lives on dead organic (carbon-containing) matter 2. Parasite—absorbs nutrients from living cells

How They Eat 3. Mutualistic—lives in a symbiotic (mutually beneficial) relationship with another organism ex: Lichens—organisms made of both an algae (protist) and a fungus. – Algae - provides energy through photosynthesis – Fungi - provides moisture/place to grow

Uses of Fungi Decomposers for environment Make foods – Edible mushrooms, truffles – Bleu cheese – Breads and alcohols are made with yeast (a single celled fungus) – Medicines (ex: antibiotic Penicillin)

Fungal Diseases Human infections – Can cause severe respiratory illnesses – Infect hair, skin, nails Athlete's foot, jock itch, and ringworm are caused by the same fungus that can grow in various locations.

Fungal Infections Plants – Some “blights” are caused by fungi – Almost all chestnut trees have been infected with a blight