NAME____________________________
PERIOD________
SURVEY OF PROTISTS
CLASSIFICATION OF PROTISTS
The classification process of protists is constantly evolving as our understanding of them improves. Protists are
often nicknamed the “junk drawer” kingdom because they do not fit into any of the other “drawers” of
classification, and they also do not easily fit together. In the past, scientists have grouped them according to how
they move, get their energy, go through their life cycles and reproduction processes, and, most recently, by their
DNA code similarities and differences.
You have been provided “protist mug shots”. Spread out the mug shots among your table so that all members can
easily see the images and read the text. Your goal is to categorize the protest mug shots into three groups of
similar characteristics. You are also going to summarize your table’s reasoning for your grouping choices.
Group Title
Group Characteristics
1. What difficulties did your table have in establishing the groups?
2. What information would be helpful in making the groups?
Reason for Grouping
BOOK RESEARCH
Preview section 25.1, “Characteristics of Protists”.
1. Please read the introduction to section 25.1 on page 501.
a) Protists are (prokaryotes/eukaryotes)
b) Protists are sometimes described as being:
2. Please read the first paragraph under the section, “A Diverse Group of Eukaryotes” on page 501. Protists are
classified by exclusion. Explain.
3. Look at figure 25-1 and read the information provided with the picture. Why aren’t Euglena classified in the
plant or animal kingdoms?
4. Please read the first paragraph under the section, “Classification” on page 502. How are Protists classified
within the kingdom?
5. Table 25-1 summarizes the characteristics of several protest phyla.
a) Protists are (unicellular/multicellular/both).
b) Protists are (heterotrophic/autotrophic/both).
c) Protists are (able to/not able to) move at some time in their life cycles.
A LOOK INTO THE MICROSCOPIC WORLD OF POND WATER
Please go to http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/wimsmall/x_smal1.html and choose a protist to explore. You
can choose from the ciliates, diatoms, sun animalcules and amoebas, flagellated protozoa, and desmids.
1. Your choice:
2. What is it?
3. Where else can you find it (other than the pond)?
4. List some examples of your protist (minimum 3).
5. How does your protist obtain energy?
6. Is your protist motile? If yes, how does it move?
7. Provide two facts from the website about your choice.