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Protists

Protists are eukaryotic organisms that first appeared in fossil records 1.5 million years ago and can be classified into three groups: animal-like, plant-like, and fungi-like protists. Animal-like protists are unicellular and heterotrophic, while plant-like protists are autotrophic and crucial for aquatic ecosystems. Some protists can cause illnesses such as giardiasis and malaria, highlighting their impact on health.

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51 views10 pages

Protists

Protists are eukaryotic organisms that first appeared in fossil records 1.5 million years ago and can be classified into three groups: animal-like, plant-like, and fungi-like protists. Animal-like protists are unicellular and heterotrophic, while plant-like protists are autotrophic and crucial for aquatic ecosystems. Some protists can cause illnesses such as giardiasis and malaria, highlighting their impact on health.

Uploaded by

levon.abrahamyan20
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Characteristics

 First appeared in fossil records 1.5 million years ago.


 They are eukaryotes (have membrane bound organelles and nucleus).
 Most are microscopic and unicellular.

Classification of Protista
Protists can fall into one of three groups:
1. Animal-like protists
2. Plant-like protists
3. Fungi-like protists

Animal-like Protists
 Examples; Amoebas, Paramecium, Giardia, Plasmodium
 These are all heterotrophic
 These protists can move to find food, like animals
 They are all unicellular

Plasmodium
Giardia

Paramecium Amoeba

Movement of Protists
 Pseudopods: finger-like projections that drag protist forward and can also trap food.
 Cilia: tiny hairs that beat in water, and can also move food towards oral opening.
 Flagella: whip-like tail that propels protist through water.

Cilia
Plant-like Protists
 Examples; Euglena, Dinoflagellates, Diatoms
 These are all autotrophic
 Can be found on water, soil and tree bark
 Form the basis of the aquatic food chain
 Important producers of oxygen

Euglena
 Are autotrophs in light, and
heterotrophs in the dark
 Unicellular
 Most have one flagellum

Dinoflagellates
 Unicellular
 Have two flagella
 Covered by stiff plates
 Found only in the ocean
Diatoms
 Unicellular
 Have glass-like cell walls

Algaes
 Green Algaes: unicellular, may form colonies, live in fresh water or salt water
 Red Algaes: multicellular, often called seaweed, live in salt water
 Brown Algaes: multicellular, seaweeds, in salt water

Brown Algae
Red Algae

Green Algae

Fungi-like Protists
 Multicellular
 Heterotrophic
 Able to move at some point in their lives
 Water moulds; live in water or moist environments
 Slime moulds; live on moist soil and decaying plants

Water Mold

Slime Mold
Structure of Some Common Protists
Paramecium

Contractile Vacuole-
removes water
Micronucleus- reproduction
Macronucleus- everything
else
Food Vacuoles- moves food
around cell
Trichocyst- long hair
released to capture prey
Cilia- movement
Oral Grove- draws food in
Gullet- takes food into cell
Anal Pore- food waste is
eliminated

Euglena
Protists That Cause Illness
Giardiasis (beaver fever) caused by the protist Giardia
 Caused by drinking contaminated water
 Attaches to intestinal wall
 Causes diarrhea

African Sleeping Sickness caused by the protist Tryponossoma Brucrei


 Carried by the tsetsi fly in Africa
 Travels to the nervous system
 Lethal

Amoebic Dysentery (travellers diarrhea) caused by the protist Eatamocha


Nistohytion
 Cause by ingesting contaminated water or food
 Ingest cysts and burst open attaching to intestines
 Causes diarrhea with blood
Malaria caused by the protist Plasmodium
 Infectious diseases
 Tropical climates
 Lives in liver and red blood cells
 Symptoms: chills, fever, vomiting

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