Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

They do not share derived characteristics that set them apart from all other lineages.

Question 2

A scientist discovers a unicellular organism with a flexible membrane, no cell wall, and the ability to engulf food using pseudopodia. To which major protist lineage does this organism most likely belong?

Accepted Answer

Amoebozoa

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic that supports the endosymbiotic origin of mitochondria?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondria have a single membrane like the nucleus.

Question 4

During the Irish potato famine, which protist was responsible for the widespread crop failure, and what type of protist is it?

Accepted Answer

Phytophthora infestans, a water mold

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the ecological role of photosynthetic protists in aquatic environments?

Accepted Answer

They are primary producers that fix carbon dioxide into organic molecules.

Question 6

A harmful algal bloom is most likely caused by which group of protists, and why can it be dangerous to humans?

Accepted Answer

Dinoflagellates; they produce toxins that accumulate in shellfish consumed by humans.

Question 7

Which process is responsible for the movement of carbon from the atmosphere into long-term storage in sedimentary rocks and petroleum, and what role do protists play in this process?

Accepted Answer

Carbon fixation and sinking; protists with shells contribute to carbon sinks.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 9

A protist is observed to move using numerous short, hair-like structures and sweeps food particles into its gullet. Which structures and feeding method is being described?

Accepted Answer

Cilia; ingestive feeding

Question 10

Which of the following is a correct sequence of taxonomic categories from most inclusive to least inclusive?

Accepted Answer

Domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the process of phagocytosis in protists?

Accepted Answer

Engulfing whole cells or particles using flexible membranes and pseudopodia

Question 12

Which of the following is a real-world example of how protists impact human health?

Accepted Answer

Plasmodium species causing malaria transmitted by mosquitoes

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a step in the global carbon cycle?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen fixation

Question 14

A researcher samples wet soil and finds a multicellular organism with a cell wall. To which major protist lineage does this organism most likely belong?

Accepted Answer

Plantae

Question 15

Which of the following is a key innovation that allowed for the diversification of protists?

Accepted Answer

Evolution of mitochondria via endosymbiosis

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the difference between flagella and cilia in protists?

Accepted Answer

Both have identical structures, but flagella are long and usually found alone or in pairs, while cilia are short and numerous.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

Multicellularity arose independently in several eukaryotic lineages.

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why researchers are interested in fertilizing the ocean with iron to combat climate change?

Accepted Answer

Iron increases the growth of photosynthetic protists, which enhances carbon fixation and increases carbon storage in ocean sinks.

Question 19

Which of the following is a plausible reason why it is difficult to develop a vaccine against malaria?

Accepted Answer

Plasmodium evolves resistance to drugs and changes rapidly due to natural selection.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes absorptive feeding in protists?

Accepted Answer

Absorbing nutrients directly across the plasma membrane from the environment

Diversification of Eukaryotes (Protists): Chapter 27 Study Notes

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