KINGDOM
PROTISTS
Kingdom Protists
• The term ‘Protista’ is derived from the Greek word
“protistos”, meaning “the very first“. These organisms
are usually unicellular and the cell of these organisms
contains a nucleus which is bound to the organelles.
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Some of them even possess structures that aid
locomotion like flagella or cilia.
• These organisms are traditionally considered the first
eukaryotic forms of life and a predecessor to plants,
animals and fungi.
Kingdom Protists
• Ernst Haeckel, a naturalist of German
descent, was the one who first introduced
the idea of the kingdom Protista in the year
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1866.
• Protista are primitive eukaryotic organisms
and exhibit a wide range of diversity in
relation to size, shape, and life forms.
Characteristics of
Representatives
The primary feature of all protists is that they are eukaryotic organisms. This means that
they have a membrane-enclosed nucleus. Other characteristic features of Kingdom
Protista are as follows:
1. These are usually aquatic, present in the soil or in
areas with moisture.
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2. Most protist species are unicellular organisms,
however, there are a few multicellular protists such as
kelp. Some species of kelp grow so large that they
exceed over 100 feet in height. (Giant Kelp).
Characteristics of
Representatives
3. Just like any other eukaryote, the cells of these
species have a nucleus and membrane-bound
organelles.
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They may be autotrophic or heterotrophic in nature.
An autotrophic organism can create its own food and
survive. A heterotrophic organism, on the other hand,
has to derive nutrition from other organisms such as
plants or animals to survive.
Characteristics of
Representatives
5. Symbiosis is observed in the members of this class.
For instance, kelp (seaweed) is a multicellular protist
that provides otters, protection from predators amidst
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thick kelp. In turn, the otters eat sea urchins that
tend to feed on kelp.
6. Parasitism is also observed in protists. Species such
as Trypanosoma protozoa can cause sleeping sickness
in humans.
Characteristics of
Representatives
7. Protists exhibit locomotion through cilia and
flagella. A few organisms belonging to the
kingdom Protista have pseudopodia that help
them to move.
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8. Protista reproduces by asexual means. The
sexual method of reproduction is extremely rare
and occurs only during times of stress.
Economic Importance
of Protists
• Protists serve as the foundation of the food
chain.
• Protists are symbionts – having a close
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relationship between two species in which,
one is benefited.
• Some protists also produce oxygen and may
be used to produce biofuel.
Economic Importance
of Protists
• Protists are the primary sources of food for
many animals.
• In some rare cases, Protists are harvested by
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humans for food and other industrial
applications.
• Phytoplankton is one of the sole food sources
for whales
Economic Importance
of Protists
• Seaweed is an alga, which is
considered a plant-like protist.
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• Zooplankton is fed on by various
sea creatures including shrimp and
larval crabs.
Phyla/ Division of
Kingdom Protist
Protista can be split into four phyla:
Euglenophyta, Protozoa, Pyrrophyta (also
called Dinoflagellata), and Chrysophyta. It
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also provides some examples of classes
belonging to each of these phyla.
Phyla/ Division of
Kingdom Protist
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Phyla/ Division of
Kingdom Protist
• Protozoans are unicellular organisms.
Historically, protozoans were called “animal”
protists as they are heterotrophic and showed
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animal-like behaviours.
Phyla/ Division of
Kingdom Protist
• There are also parasitic protozoans which live
in the cells of larger organisms. Most of the
members do not have a predefined shape. For
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instance, an amoeba can change its shape
indefinitely but a paramecium has a definite
slipper-like shape.
Phyla/ Division of
Kingdom Protist
• The most well-known examples of protozoans
are amoeba, paramecium, and euglena. Unlike
other members of this group, euglena is a free-
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living protozoan that has chlorophyll, which
means it can make its own food.
Phyla/ Division of
Kingdom Protist
The protozoans can be divided into four major
groups:
1. Amoeboid protozoans – Mostly found in
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water bodies, either fresh or saline. They have
pseudopodia (false feet) which help to change
their shape and to capture and engulf food.
Phyla/ Division of
Kingdom Protist
2. Flagellated protozoans – As the
name suggests, the members of this
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group have flagella. They can be free-
living as well as parasitic.
Phyla/ Division of
Kingdom Protist
3. Ciliated protozoans – They have
cilia all over their body which help in
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locomotion as well as nutrition. They
are always aquatic.
Phyla/ Division of
Kingdom Protist
4. Sporozoans – These organisms are
so-called because their life cycle has a
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spore-like stage.
Phyla/ Division of
Kingdom Protist
EXAMPLES OF PROTOZOA
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1.Amoeba
Phyla/ Division of
Kingdom Protist
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Amoeba Paramecium Euglena
Phyla/ Division of
Kingdom Protist
• Chrysophytes include diatoms and golden
algae. They are characterised by the presence
of a hard siliceous cell wall. Diatomaceous
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earth is formed due to the accumulation of cell
wall deposits. They are photosynthetic
organisms.
Phyla/ Division of
Kingdom Protist
Chrysophytes Examples:
1. Diatoms
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2. Dinobryon
3. Synura
Phyla/ Division of
Kingdom Protist
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Diatoms Dinobryon Synura
Phyla/ Division of
Kingdom Protist
• Dinoflagellates are photosynthetic
and found in various different colours,
according to the pigment present in
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them. They show bioluminescence
and known to cause red tide.
Phyla/ Division of
Kingdom Protist
Dinoflagellates Examples:
1. Peridinium
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2. Noctiluca
3. Ceratium
Phyla/ Division of
Kingdom Protist
Ceratium
Peridinium Noctiluca
Phyla/ Division of
Kingdom Protist
• Euglenoids are the link between plants and
animals. They lack a cell wall but perform
photosynthesis. In the absence of sunlight,
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they act as a heterotroph and feed on small
organisms. The outer body covering is a
protein-rich layer known as a pellicle.
Phyla/ Division of
Kingdom Protist
Euglenoids Examples:
1. Euglena
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2. Trachelomonas
3. Phacus
Phyla/ Division of
Kingdom Protist
Euglena Trachelomonas Phacus
Quiz
TEST I.
Direction: Read the statements carefully and tell whether
the statement is TRUE or FALSE. Write TRUE if the
statement is correct and FALSE if otherwise.
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1. The term "Protista" is derived from the Greek word
"protistos," meaning "the very first."
2. Protists are always multicellular organisms.
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3. The cells of protists have a nucleus and
membrane-bound organelles. (True)
4. Protists are considered a link between plants,
animals,
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5. The common protist-like ancestor of plants,
animals, and fungi is a known and well-documented
organism.
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6. Most protist species are autotrophic in nature.
7. Symbiosis and parasitism are observed in
members of the kingdom Protista.
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8. Protists exhibit locomotion through cilia,
flagella, and pseudopodia.
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9. Protista reproduces primarily through
sexual means.
10. Slime moulds are characterized by the
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presence of aggregates called plasmodium.
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TEST II. Multiple Choice
Directions: Choose the BEST answer for the following
questions. Write only the letter of the correct answer.
11. What is the primary characteristic of protists?
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a) Prokaryotic cells
b) Multicellularity
c) Eukaryotic cells
d) Absence of nucleus
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12. Which of the following is a characteristic feature of
protozoans?
a) Chlorophyll for photosynthesis
b) Saprophytic nutrition
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c) Unicellular structure
d) Multicellular colonies
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13. What is the primary method of locomotion for
ciliated protozoans?
a) Pseudopodia
b) Flagella
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c) Cilia
d) Plasmodium
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14. Which group of protists is known for causing red
tide and bioluminescence?
a) Amoeboid protozoans
b) Dinoflagellates
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c) Slime moulds
d) Euglenoids
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15. What is the economic importance of protists
mentioned in the passage?
a) Predators in the food chain
b) Primary source of oxygen
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c) Producers of diatomaceous earth
d) All of the above
Quiz
TEST III. ENUMERATION
16- 19. Give the four(4) major groups of
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Protozoa
20. What is the topic all about?
Answer Key
TEST I.
1. True 6. False
2. False
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3.True 8. True
4. True 9. False
5. False 10. True
Answer Key
TEST II.
11. C
12. C
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13. C
14. B
15. D
Answer Key
TEST III.
16- 19. (CAN BE INTERCHANGE)
Amoeboid Protozoans
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Flagellated Protozoans
Ciliated Protozoans
Sporozoans
20 . KINGDOM PROTISTS/PROTISTA
