PROTISTS
CHAPTER 19
KINGDOM PROTISTA
(most diverse kingdom)
All are eukaryotic
Unicellular or multicellular
Microscopic or very
large
Heterotrophic or
autotrophic
Plant-like, animal-like or
fungus-like
ORIGIN
OF
PROTISTS
ALGAE
Plant-like protists
Autotrophs
Lack true leaves, roots
and stems
Most are aquatic
Produce much of the
earth’s oxygen
Basis of the aquatic
food chain
Spirogyra
Volvox
Mixed green algae
FUNGAL PROTISTS
Slime molds
Unlike fungi, fungus-like
protists are able to
move and lack chitin in
their cell walls.
Decompose dead
materials (saprobes)
Make nutrients available
to living organisms
SLIME MOLD
PROTOZOA
(singular: protozoan)
Animal-like protists
All are unicellular
heterotrophs
Move by means of cilia,
flagella, pseudopodia
Reproduce asexually
(some sexually)
Some are parasitic
sporozoans
AMOEBAS
Protozoans with pseudopodia
“False foot”
Extensions of cytoplasm
Aid in movement & feeding
Shapeless
Most live in salt water
Some have shells
Foraminiferans
radiolarians
Most reproduce asexually
Some form cysts
Survive unfavorable conditions
FLAGELLATES
Protozoans with one
or more flagella
Some are parasitic
African Sleeping
Sickness
CILIATES
Protozoans with cilia
Salt or fresh water
Includes:
Paramecium
Vorticella
Stentor
SPOROZOANS
Parasitic protozoans
Malaria
Sleeping sickness
Trichimonas
Most produce spores
Plasmodium
(causes
Malaria)
Reproductive cell
Produces a new
organism
FUNGUS-LIKE PROTISTS
Slime molds
Grow on rotting leaves or
decaying tree stumps &
logs
Water molds
Live in water or moist
places
Appear as fuzzy, white
growths
Downy mildews
Live in water or moist
places
Cause plant diseases
WATER MOLD
ALGAE
Photosynthesizing
protists
Fresh or salt water
Contain chlorophyll
Produce more than half
the earth’s oxygen
Include:
Red algae
Green algae
Brown algae
Diatoms - contain silica
Euglenoids
Dinoflagellates
DIATOMS
RED ALGAE
BROWN ALGAE
DIATOMS
Dinoflagellates: known as “fire algae”
(cause red tides)