Advanced Life ScienceRainier Jr/Sr High School

Mr Taylor

Kingdom ProtistaA very diverse Kingdom

An organism is placed in this kingdom because it is eukaryotic and isn’t an animal, plant, or fungus.

Most are unicellularAll are eukaryotic

Kingdom Protista3 major groups of Protists exist

Algae; the autotrophic, photosynthetic protistsSlime molds; heterotrophic fungus-like protistsProtozoa; heterotrophic animal-like protists

ProtozoaProto means “first” and zoa means “animal”,

so protozoans are the first, simplest organisms to exhibit animal-like traitsThey are eukaryoticThey are heterotrophic and usually consume

other micro-organisms (rather than absorbing dissolved nutrients)

Most live in or near water Marine and freshwater forms Upper layers of moist soil Plant and animal tissues

ProtozoaFour phyla are considered protozoan and are

classified by their method of locomotion.1. Mastigophora/Zoomastigina: move by flagella2. Sarcodina/Rhizopoda: move by pseudopods3. Ciliophora: move using cilia4. Sporozoa/Apicomplexa: are non-motile

Mastigophora/ZoomastiginaMove using flagellaMany are parasites, some are

mutualisticTrypanosoma spp cause

encephalitis (“sleeping sickness”) in people, common in Africa. Is carried by the tsetse fly. (A parasite)

Trichonympha spp live in the digestive tract of termites and digest cellulose (wood). (A mutualistic relationship)

Sarcodina/RhizopodaMove using pseudopods (pseudo means

“false” and pod means “foot”), an extension of the cytoplasm.

The most common protozoans in this group are the amoeba (shape-shifters)

Amoeba in motionAmoebas have many complex structures and

activities A contractile vacuole: gets rid of excess water. Eats by phagocytosis

Sarcodina/RhizopodaMove using pseudopods (pseudo means

“false” and pod means “foot”), an extension of the cytoplasm.

The most common protozoans in this group are the amoeba (shape-shifters)

Amoeba in motionAmoebas have many complex structures and

activities Reproduce by binary fission Becomes a “cyst” to prevent death during dry

conditions

Sarcodina/RhizopodaMove using pseudopods (pseudo means

“false” and pod means “foot”), an extension of the cytoplasm.

The most common protozoans in this group are the amoeba (shape-shifters)

Amoeba in motionAmoebas have many complex structures and

activities Are detritovores often (eat rotting foods) but also

will eat other protists and bacteria Are common in ponds and areas with lots of sludge

Sarcodina/RhizopodaMove using pseudopods (pseudo means

“false” and pod means “foot”), an extension of the cytoplasm.

The most common protozoans in this group are the amoeba (shape-shifters)

Amoeba in motionAmoebas have many complex structures and

activities Have a photosensor and move away from light. This

trait is called negative phototropism. Have chemosensors to detect food and harmful

substances.

CiliophoraCilia are short, hair-like extensions from the

cell membrane. They are usually plentiful and move in a coordinated, wave-like fashion.This action serves to either propel them

through a medium or moves food particles past themselves.

Some move through a liquid medium and are “motile”. Some attach to a substrate (like a rock or a leaf) and are called “sessile”

CiliophoraThe most common ciliate is the Paramecium

spp. This is also a very complex unicellular organism.Has a “head” and “tail”Eats by diffusion and also by sweeping food into

an oral groove and mouth pore. Food is digested in a food vacuole and undigested remains are eliminated through an anal pore. This forms a rudimentary digestive system.

CiliophoraThe most common ciliate is the Paramecium

spp. This is also a very complex unicellular organism.They display an avoidance reaction when they

run into something.They can shoot out little barbed “hairs” that

can deter predators and help capture prey.

Paramecium Video

Sporozoa/ApicomplexaAll sporozoans are non-motile parasites and

are carried around in the blood or tissue fluids of their hosts.

They often have complex life cycles involving several hosts.Plasmodium spp cause malaria in people. The

life cycle involves mosquitoes and people.Neorickettsia salmonicola causes “salmon

disease” in dogs. It’s life cycle involves snails, salmon, and dogs.

Sporozoa/Apicomplexa

Plasmodium spp in human red blood cells

Ricketssia spp in the lining of the digestive tract of a horse