Q: Which of the following equations correctly represents the process of photosynthesis in autotrophic protists?

$$6 \mathrm{CO}_2 + 6 \mathrm{H}_2\mathrm{O} + \text{light energy} \rightarrow \mathrm{C}_6\mathrm{H}_{12}\mathrm{O}_6 + 6 \mathrm{O}_2$$

Question 1

Which of the following statements best explains why protists are considered a paraphyletic group?

Accepted Answer

They include some, but not all, descendants of their most recent common ancestor, excluding land plants, fungi, and animals.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a line of evidence supporting the endosymbiotic origin of mitochondria?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondria have a single membrane derived from the host cell's plasma membrane.

Question 3

A harmful algal bloom caused by dinoflagellates can lead to human poisoning primarily because:

Accepted Answer

Toxins produced by dinoflagellates accumulate in shellfish, which are then consumed by humans.

Question 4

Which process is responsible for the origin of chloroplasts in Plantae, according to the endosymbiosis theory?

Accepted Answer

Primary endosymbiosis, where a eukaryotic cell engulfed a cyanobacterium.

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the advantage of the nuclear envelope in eukaryotes?

Accepted Answer

It separates transcription from translation, allowing for more complex gene regulation.

Question 6

A protist that engulfs food particles using pseudopodia is most likely to lack which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A rigid cell wall

Question 7

Which of the following equations correctly represents the process of photosynthesis in autotrophic protists?

Accepted Answer

$$6 \mathrm{CO}_2 + 6 \mathrm{H}_2\mathrm{O} + 	ext{light energy} ightarrow \mathrm{C}_6\mathrm{H}_{12}\mathrm{O}_6 + 6 \mathrm{O}_2$$

Question 8

Which lineage of eukaryotes is characterized by the presence of flagella with hollow 'hairs' at some stage of their life cycle?

Accepted Answer

Stramenopila

Question 9

A scientist discovers a unicellular organism with an 'excavated' feeding groove and vestigial mitochondria. To which major eukaryotic lineage does this organism most likely belong?

Accepted Answer

Excavata

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why sexual reproduction is considered adaptive in protists?

Accepted Answer

It generates genetic diversity, which may help populations resist evolving parasites and pathogens.

Question 11

Which of the following is a real-world example of the ecological importance of protists?

Accepted Answer

The Irish potato famine, caused by the water mold Phytophthora infestans.

Question 12

Which of the following statements about multicellularity in protists is correct?

Accepted Answer

Multicellularity evolved independently in several eukaryotic lineages.

Question 13

Which feeding strategy is most likely used by a protist with cilia lining its oral groove?

Accepted Answer

Ingestive feeding by sweeping food particles into its mouth

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the process of secondary endosymbiosis?

Accepted Answer

A eukaryotic cell engulfs another eukaryotic cell that already contains a chloroplast.

Question 15

Which of the following structures is NOT correctly matched with its chemical composition?

Accepted Answer

Euglenid pellicle – peptidoglycan

Question 16

A protist that absorbs nutrients from dead organic matter is best described as a(n):

Accepted Answer

Decomposer

Question 17

Which of the following is a distinguishing feature (synapomorphy) of the Alveolata lineage?

Accepted Answer

Presence of flattened, membrane-bound vesicles (alveoli) under the plasma membrane

Question 18

Which of the following best describes amoeboid motion in protists?

Accepted Answer

Sliding movement accomplished by streaming of pseudopodia, requiring ATP

Question 19

Which of the following is a correct statement about the evolutionary relationship between mitochondria and α-proteobacteria?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondrial gene sequences are more closely related to α-proteobacteria than to nuclear DNA of eukaryotes.

Diversification of Eukaryotes: Protists and Their Evolutionary Innovations

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