Protists

“Junk Drawer”  Kingdom Protista has 11 very diverse phyla Phyla vary in shape, size, structure, complexity, feeding habits, locomotion, and reproduction Phyla vary in shape, size, structure, complexity, feeding habits, locomotion, and reproduction Also great ecological diversity – occupy almost every known niche and habitat Also great ecological diversity – occupy almost every known niche and habitat

“Groups”  3 distinct groups in Protista Animal-like Protists (4 phyla) Animal-like Protists (4 phyla) Plantlike Protists (6 phyla) Plantlike Protists (6 phyla) Fungilike Protists (1 phyla) Fungilike Protists (1 phyla)

What do they have in common?  Most are unicellular  Cells are all eukaryotic  Cells reproduce asexually by binary fission Some exchange DNA sexually Some exchange DNA sexually  Cells thrive in moist surroundings Freshwater, saltwater, animal fluids, damp terrestrial environments Freshwater, saltwater, animal fluids, damp terrestrial environments

Plantlike Protists  Read page 128 section on plantlike protists… do not read onto page 129 Answer questions on worksheet regarding plantlike protists Answer questions on worksheet regarding plantlike protists

Algae  Green, brown and red algae are plantlike multicellular; but do not form tissues multicellular; but do not form tissues This is how they are different from higher plantsThis is how they are different from higher plants  Extremely well adapted to wet environments “aquatic organisms” “aquatic organisms” Also found on rocks, tree trunksAlso found on rocks, tree trunks

Seaweed  Red and brown algae Large, multicellular oceanic plants Large, multicellular oceanic plants  Unicellular green algae ‘phytoplankton’ ‘phytoplankton’ Float near water surface in both salt & fresh water Float near water surface in both salt & fresh water

Importance of Algae  Huge role in global environment Primary food producers in aquatic food chain Primary food producers in aquatic food chain Supply 80% of global oxygen Supply 80% of global oxygen  Human wastes / industrial waste is huge concern Algal populations decreasing, mainly in oceans Algal populations decreasing, mainly in oceans

Human Use of Algae  Read text at bottom of page 129… starting at the second last paragraph Answer questions on worksheet Answer questions on worksheet