Question 1

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of protists?

Accepted Answer

They are eukaryotes that are not plants, animals, or fungi.

Question 2

Which clade within the SAR supergroup contains organisms with glassy cell walls made of silica and is important for photosynthesis in aquatic environments?

Accepted Answer

Stramenopiles

Question 3

Diatoms are considered a main source of oil. Which process is used to convert their lipid droplets into biodiesel?

Accepted Answer

Harvesting and processing in bioreactors

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the difference between plasmodial slime molds and cellular slime molds?

Accepted Answer

Plasmodial slime molds form a single multinucleate mass, while cellular slime molds aggregate as individual cells.

Question 5

Which equation correctly represents the alternation of generations in green algae, where $$n is $$haploid and $$2n is $$diploid?

Accepted Answer

$$Sporophyte (2n) \xrightarrow{meiosis} Spores (n) \xrightarrow{mitosis} Gametophyte (n) \xrightarrow{mitosis} Gametes (n) \xrightarrow{fertilization} Zygote (2n)$$

Question 6

Which of the following organisms is a member of the Excavata supergroup and is known for causing sleeping sickness?

Accepted Answer

Trypanosoma

Question 7

What is the main function of cilia in ciliates such as Paramecium?

Accepted Answer

To provide motility and sweep food into the oral groove

Question 8

Which of the following statements about Rhizaria is correct?

Accepted Answer

Rhizaria include foraminiferans with porous shells of calcium carbonate.

Question 9

Which of the following is a challenge in using algae as a renewable source of biodiesel?

Accepted Answer

Finding cost-effective methods of harvesting the oil

Question 10

Which supergroup includes protists that are closely related to fungi and animals?

Accepted Answer

Unikonta

Question 11

Which of the following is true about the evolution of multicellularity in protists?

Accepted Answer

Multicellularity is found in Stramenopiles, Unikonts, and Archaeplastids.

Question 12

Which of the following best describes mixotrophs among protists?

Accepted Answer

They are capable of both photosynthesis and heterotrophy.

Question 13

Which organism is an example of a colonial green alga, where each ball is a colony of hundreds or thousands of biflagellate cells?

Accepted Answer

Volvox

Question 14

What is the role of accessory pigments in red algae?

Accepted Answer

They help mask chlorophyll and allow red algae to absorb different wavelengths of light.

Question 15

Which of the following is a correct statement about the phylogeny of protists?

Accepted Answer

Charophytes are the closest living relatives of land plants.

Question 16

Which of the following is a real-world application of diatomaceous earth, which is made from diatoms?

Accepted Answer

Filtering and polishing

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct definition of a gametophyte?

Accepted Answer

A multicellular haploid form which produces gametes by mitosis

Question 18

Which of the following is a characteristic of water molds in the Stramenopile clade?

Accepted Answer

They decompose dead plants and animals in freshwater habitats.

Question 19

Which of the following is true about the mitochondria of some Excavata protists?

Accepted Answer

They lack functional electron transport chains and must use anaerobic pathways for energy production.

Diversity of Life: Protists: UNIT 6

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