Question 1

Which of the following best describes a protist?

Accepted Answer

A mostly unicellular eukaryote found in aquatic or moist environments.

Question 2

Which nutritional mode allows a protist to switch between photosynthesis and consuming organic material depending on environmental conditions?

Accepted Answer

Mixotrophy

Question 3

Euglena is classified as a mixotroph. What does this mean in terms of its nutrition?

Accepted Answer

It can both photosynthesize and ingest organic material.

Question 4

Which of the following protist supergroups contains organisms most closely related to animals?

Accepted Answer

Unikonta

Question 5

Diatoms are important in the context of biofuel research because:

Accepted Answer

They are thought to be the main source of oil and can be grown for biofuels.

Question 6

Which clade within the SAR supergroup includes diatoms and brown algae?

Accepted Answer

Stramenopila

Question 7

A researcher discovers a unicellular organism in a pond that can photosynthesize and also ingest bacteria. Which nutritional mode does this organism most likely exhibit?

Accepted Answer

Mixotrophy

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Multicellularity evolved several times independently in different eukaryotic lineages.

Question 9

In the alternation of generations life cycle of green algae, what is the difference in chromosome number between the gametophyte and sporophyte?

Accepted Answer

Gametophyte is haploid ($n$), sporophyte is diploid ($2n$).

Question 10

Which of the following is a defining feature of some members of the Excavata supergroup?

Accepted Answer

Modified mitochondria and an 'excavated' feeding groove.

Question 11

Which protist is an example of a heterotrophic parasite found in the Excavata supergroup?

Accepted Answer

Giardia

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why unicellular algae are attractive candidates for biofuel production?

Accepted Answer

They can be grown rapidly and have high oil content.

Question 13

Which of the following protist groups includes organisms that contribute to the structure of coral reefs?

Accepted Answer

Red algae

Question 14

Amoebozoans, found in the Unikonta supergroup, are characterized by which of the following features?

Accepted Answer

Lobe-shaped pseudopodia.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a role protists play in ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Primary source of coal formation.

Question 16

Which of the following statements about the SAR supergroup is correct?

Accepted Answer

It is composed of Stramenopila, Alveolata, and Rhizaria.

Question 17

Which protist group is most closely related to land plants?

Accepted Answer

Archaeplastida

Question 18

Which of the following is a correct example of a mixotrophic protist?

Accepted Answer

Euglena

Question 19

Which process in green algae involves both haploid and diploid multicellular stages?

Accepted Answer

Alternation of generations

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the fundamental difference between multicellular and unicellular organisms?

Accepted Answer

Multicellular organisms have cells specialized for different functions.

Protists: Diversity, Nutrition, and Classification

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