MICROBIOLOGY UNIT 2
LESSON PLAN 5
LESSON OUTLINE
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Black board notes (based on text pg 128 – 133)
PLANT LIKE PROTISTS
ANIMAL LIKE PROTISTS
WORKSHEETS
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT (MACKING CONNECTIONS)
 READ 2.7 and 2.8 summary and answer questions # and #
GENERAL INFO:
PROTISTS: are eukaryotic organisms. These are larger than bacteria and
have membrane-covered organelles and a true nucleus.
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There are more than 50, 000 species of protests.
However can be classified into one of 3 major groups
PLANT-LIKE, ANIMAL-LIKE, and FUNGI-LIKE
Most are single celled much like bacteria.
Protists can be either autotrophic such as algae or heterotrophic such
as a paramecium.
PROTISTS MOVEMENT:
 Protists can move about the same as bacteria.
 Some use flagella, others use cilia, and still others may use psedopods
where the cell uses cytoplasmic flow to make finger like points to
move.
PROTISTS REPRODUCTION METHOD:
 Many Protists reproduce asexually by mitosis or binary fission. This is
where the chromosomes (DNA) is copied from the parent cell and
given to the identical daughter cell. Then the cell divides into two
separate cells.
 Some Protists will reproduce sexually under specific circumstances.
 This form is called conjugation. This is where a plasmid (stored DNA
material are exchanged) and allow for variation in the new Protists.
 This allows the species to evolve and to adapt to the environment.
 Cells thrive in moist environments such as fresh water, salt water,
animal fluids or very damp land areas.
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PLANT LIKE PROTISTS:
These specific phyla of Protists are much like plants because they contain
chlorophyll the pigment which begins the process of photosynthesis. These
are identical to the chloroplasts found in algae and green land plants.
However during periods where there is no light available the cells become
heterotrophic and engulf large complex solid nutrients.
The Euglena is a typical plantlike protest. It has two striking features that
aids us in depict it form other species. It has a flagellum and also an eyespot.
The eyespot is believed to be apart of the organism’s sensory-motor system,
used to detect light. The flagellum is used to move through water in a whiplike fashion. Most plantlike Protists have two flagella.
The Euglena like many flagellated protists, reproduce asexually. The cell
divides lengthwise through a process called longitudinal fission. This allows
the cell to grow in circumference while the organelles are being duplicated.
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Other phyla in the plantlike protists are Algae.
Algae (singular alga) are categorized by colour. These are the green, brown
and red algae.
Most algae are multicellular but do not form tissue. This distinguishes them
from higher evolved plants that are multicellular and form tissues.
Algae can be found in moist and wet environments. They are normally
thought as aquatic organisms, however they can also be found in soils, on
rocks and lower trunks of trees. These are usually green algae.
Brown and red algae are commonly known as seaweeds, and are generally
multicellular oceanic plants. They are different in colour appearance as their
chlorophyll and other colour pigments absorb specific wavelengths of light
that occur with the change in light in water depths. Unicellular green algae
are often called phytoplankton.
In the phyla of algae there are many variations of reproduction methods.
They range from simple asexually reproduction such as fragmentation to
complex life cycles which incorporate both asexual and sexual reproduction.
IMPORTANCE OF ALGAE:
Algae, specifically green algae are the primary food producers in the aquatic
food chains. Algae supply about 80% of the global supply of oxygen.
Humans have a direct impact on aquatic algae by the wastes we dump into
lakes and oceans. These toxins are killing off algae and reducing their
populations. The lakes near Sudbury Ontario are crystal clear. No algae can
survive there because of industrial contaminants. On the other hand algae
can be detrimental to other aquatic life as it will grow to much and block
sunlight needed by other marine life.
HUMANS USE ALGAE FOR:
 Is used as a food source for vitamin and minerals.
 Used as fertilizers.
 Used in agar solutions to culture bacteria, and make drug capsules,
gels, and cosmetics. ( made from red algae)
 Carrageenan is used in paints, ice cream and pie fillings.
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MICROBIOLOGY UNIT 2
LESSON 5 WORKSHEET
PROTISTS – PLANTLIKE PHYLA
Answer the following question based on the readings in the text.
found on pages 128 to 129.
1. Protists can be broken down into how many major groups?
2. Name the groups
3. What allows these microorganisms to produce their own energy?
4. What happens when light sources are not available?
5. Draw and label Figure 2 on pg 128. (be detailed)
6. How many flagellums do most plantlike protists have?
7. What does the eyespot do?
8. What is the outside of the Euglena made of?
9. Do the chloroplasts in a Euglena differ form those found in plants on land?
10. How is food stored in these organisms ( Euglena)
11. What is the process called for Euglenas under going reproduction?
12. What are the common types of algae discussed? Name them.
13. How do algae differ from plants?
14. Where can algae be found besides in aquatic environments?
15. What is the common name for red and brown algae?
16. What are common green algae referred to as?
17. How do algae reproduce?
18. How much oxygen do algae produce globally? Does this surprise you? Why?
19. How do humans use algae? List 5 possible things.
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