Question 1

Which of the following statements best describes the locomotion mechanism of Amoebozoa such as Amoeba sp.?

Accepted Answer

They move by extending lobopodia, which are blunt, finger-like pseudopodia formed by sol-gel conversion within the cell.

Question 2

Which structure is unique to the mitochondria of most Amoebozoa, but is lost in Entamoeba species?

Accepted Answer

Cristae with a branching tubular structure

Question 3

A patient presents with gastrointestinal symptoms. Microscopic examination of their stool reveals cysts with more than four nuclei. Which organism is most likely present?

Accepted Answer

Entamoeba coli

Question 4

Which of the following best explains why Entamoeba histolytica is considered an anaerobic parasite?

Accepted Answer

It lacks mitochondria and relies on fermentation for energy.

Question 5

Which of the following is a distinguishing feature of Arcella sp. compared to Amoeba sp.?

Accepted Answer

Arcella sp. has a circular test (shell) with a central hole for pseudopodia to emerge.

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the ecological role of slime molds such as Physarum sp.?

Accepted Answer

They are decomposers that feed on bacteria and decaying organic matter.

Question 7

During the life cycle of a plasmodial slime mold, which stage is diploid ($$2n$$)?

Accepted Answer

The feeding plasmodium

Question 8

Which of the following statements about Giardia lamblia is correct?

Accepted Answer

It has two functionally equivalent nuclei and lacks both mitochondria and Golgi apparatus.

Question 9

Which structure in Euglena allows it to orient itself toward light for photosynthesis?

Accepted Answer

Eyespot (stigma)

Question 10

A scientist discovers a protist with a kinetoplast, a single large mitochondrion, and a crystalline rod in its flagellum. Which disease could this organism potentially cause?

Accepted Answer

Chagas disease

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the function of the pellicle in Euglenozoa?

Accepted Answer

It is a flexible protein band structure that allows the cell to change shape while moving.

Question 12

Which of the following is a key difference between Foraminifera and Amoebozoa?

Accepted Answer

Foraminifera have reticulating pseudopods and produce elaborate shells made of minerals such as CaCO$$_3$$, while Amoebozoa have lobopodia and generally lack mineralized shells.

Question 13

Which of the following is true about the life cycle of Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria?

Accepted Answer

Mosquitoes are the definitive host, and humans are the intermediate host.

Question 14

Which of the following is a characteristic feature of ciliates such as Paramecium?

Accepted Answer

They possess numerous short cilia used for locomotion and feeding.

Question 15

A student observes a protist under the microscope that has a spiral arrangement of protein bands beneath the plasma membrane, a long anterior flagellum, and an eyespot. Which genus is most likely being observed?

Accepted Answer

Euglena

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why Entamoeba coli is important in clinical diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

It is a non-pathogenic commensal that can be confused with the pathogenic Entamoeba histolytica in stool specimens.

Question 17

Which of the following is a real-world application of studying Dictyostelium discoideum (a cellular slime mold)?

Accepted Answer

It is used as a model organism to study the evolution of multicellularity.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the function of hydrogenosomes in some anaerobic protists?

Accepted Answer

They produce ATP in the absence of oxygen and likely evolved from mitochondria.

Question 19

A marine biologist is studying plankton samples and finds organisms with intricate silica-based skeletons and reticulating pseudopods. Which group do these organisms most likely belong to?

Accepted Answer

Radiolaria

Question 20

Which of the following is a correct statement about the apical complex found in Apicomplexa?

Accepted Answer

It is involved in penetrating host cells and is a defining feature of the group.

L 5.1: Protozoan Protists: Diversity, Structure, and Function

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