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Protists - General Biology Lab Practical 1

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Terms in this set (28)

  • What defines a protist?
    Protists are eukaryotes with a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, mostly unicellular with complex cell organization.
  • What are the three nutritional modes of protists?
    Photoautotrophs contain chloroplasts, heterotrophs absorb or ingest organic molecules, and mixotrophs combine photosynthesis and heterotrophic nutrition.
  • What distinguishes Euglenozoans?
    Presence of a spiral or crystalline rod inside their flagella.
  • Characteristics and ecological role of Trypanosoma
    A flagellated parasite with an undulating membrane; alternates between vertebrate and invertebrate hosts.
  • Characteristics and ecological role of Euglena
    Green, elongate flagellate with a pigmented eye spot; common mixotroph in freshwater ponds.
  • What defines Stramenopiles?
    Flagella with many hairlike lateral projections; includes diatoms, brown algae, and water molds.
  • Characteristics and ecological role of Diatoms
    Unicellular algae with silica glass-like walls; abundant in oceans and lakes, important primary producers.
  • Economic importance of diatoms
    Accumulations produce diatomaceous earth used in filtration and abrasives.
  • Characteristics and ecological role of Brown Algae
    Largest, most complex algae with brown pigment fucoxanthin; mostly marine, including giant kelps.
  • Economic importance of Brown Algae
    Many species harvested for commercial food products.
  • Characteristics and ecological role of Water molds (Saprolegnia)
    Multinucleate filaments acting as decomposers or parasites; cell walls contain cellulose, not chitin.
  • What defines Alveolates?
    Have membrane-bound sac-like alveoli under the cell membrane; includes ciliates, dinoflagellates, and apicomplexans.
  • Characteristics and ecological role of Ciliates
    Heterotrophic protists using cilia to move and feed; common in freshwater ponds.
  • Characteristics and ecological role of Dinoflagellates
    Cells reinforced by cellulose plates with two spinning flagella; foundation of aquatic food chains, can cause red tides.
  • Characteristics of Apicomplexans
    Parasites with an apex organelle for host penetration; complex life cycles requiring multiple hosts.
  • What is Plasmodium?
    An apicomplexan parasite causing malaria; requires mosquitoes and humans to complete its life cycle.
  • What defines Rhizarians?
    Amoeboid, heterotrophic protists with threadlike pseudopodia; includes Foraminiferans and Radiolarians.
  • Characteristics and ecological role of Foraminiferans
    Have hard, porous calcium carbonate shells called tests; marine plankton that form fossils and limestone.
  • Characteristics and ecological role of Radiolarians
    Have silica skeletons with axopodia; skeletons contribute to sea floor ooze.
  • What defines Amoebozoans?
    Protists with lobe-shaped pseudopodia; includes amoebas and slime molds.
  • Characteristics and ecological role of Amoeba
    Move and feed using pseudopodia; common freshwater heterotrophs.
  • Characteristics and ecological role of Physarum
    Phagocytic heterotroph with multinucleate plasmodium stage; decomposer on decaying forest material.
  • Characteristics and ecological role of Dictyostelium
    Exist as individual amoeboid cells but aggregate to form fruiting bodies when food is scarce; forest decomposer.
  • What defines Rhodophyta (Red Algae)?
    Contain pigment phycoerythrin; includes unicellular and multicellular algae abundant in warm tropical oceans.
  • Characteristics and economic importance of Porphyra
    Multicellular red algae with broad leaf-like structures; used as seaweed wrappers for sushi.
  • What defines Chlorophyta (Green Algae)?
    Chloroplasts similar to land plants; includes unicellular and multicellular algae.
  • Characteristics and economic importance of Ulva
    Multicellular green algae with broad leaf-like structures; primary producer and nutrition supplement.
  • Characteristics and ecological role of Spirogyra
    Filamentous green algae; autotrophic primary producer.