1. The Protists Kingdom

2. What Are Protists?
A group of one-celled organisms with well defined nuclei
All protists live in moist surroundings
Many protists possess both plant-like and animal-like features
Animal like protists are called PROTOZOAN

3. We will take a close look at four protists that are similar in some respects and are also very different in others.
Similarities:
All have cytoplasm surrounded by a protective covering
All have a well-defined nucleus
All reproduce asexually by cell division (binary fission)
All have vacuoles
All move about their environment

4. Amoeba The amoeba is a tiny, one-celled organism
The name amoeba comes from the Greek word amoibe, which means change
They are legendary as the ultimate shape shifters
Amoeba are quite hard to find

5. Amoeba
An amoeba consists of a single blobby cell surrounded by a porous cell membrane.
The amoeba "breathes" using this membrane
Amoebas move by changing the shape of their body, forming pseudopods (temporary foot-like structures).
The word pseudopod means "false foot."

6. The pseudopodia movement that enables the amoeba to capture prey.
Usually the pseudopods form a kind of dome that makes escaping impossible.
They must have some sort of chemical detection since they notice a prey without having to touch it.
These two images of Amoeba proteus shows how a fast moving ciliate is surrounded by quick developing pseudopodia.

7. Paramecium The paramecium is larger than the amoeba
Shaped like a slipper, its name comes from the Greek word for “oval”
It is common in ponds throughout the world
Paramecium is a good example of cell
complexity.

8. The paramecium has two nuclei, a big and small one
The big one operates as the director of the cell's activities, rather like a little brain
The smaller one is used for reproduction

9. It is covered with tiny hairs called cilia that help it move
The paramecium is able to move in all directions with these cilia
The cilia also propels the food into a tiny mouth called the oral groove

10. Euglena
The euglena is unique because it is sort of like a plant and also like an animal
It is pear shaped
It has a whippy tail called a flagellum that allows it to move through the water

11. The euglena is able to make its own food like a plant when it is in the sunlight
When it is in darkness, however, it can find food like an animal
It takes in tiny plants and animals much like the amoeba and paramecium.

12. Interesting Fact
When it is too hot or cold for a euglena, it forms a protective casing called a cyst around its body that protects it until conditions outside the cyst become better.

13. Volvox Volvox is a green algae It exists as a grand spherical colony
The bright green spheres within are "daughter colonies"
The individual algae are connected by thin strands of cytoplasm.

14. The volvox resembles a little planet
In the northern region the eyespots are more developed
This differentiation of cells make Volvox quite unique
Each little alga within the colony bears two flagella, whip-like hairs.
The individual alga also have small red eye spots.

15. One of the 7 Wonders of the Micro World
Sometimes we can find inhabitants within the colony. There is a small rotifer, called Proales parasita that lives inside Volvox and feeds on the cells.