KINGDOM PROTISTA

Kingdom Protista Scientists believe Protists paved the way

for the evolution of plants, animals, and fungi.

Can be unicellular, multicellular, or colonial

Characteristics Large and complex cells that contain nuclei

and other organelles Eukaryotes

Unicellular Plant-like producers

Autotrophs Animal-like consumers

Heterotrophs Have a cell wall Protozoans (animal-like) and Algae (plant-like)

Algae Plant-like mircroorganisms Make their own food Produce oxygen through photosynthesis More than 75% of oxygen on Earth is

produced by photosynthetic algae Most live in either salt or fresh water, but

some live on moist shady tree bark, wet concrete and rocks, or with a fungus as part of a lichen.

Green Algae Grows in large masses Create food photosynthesis

Example: Volvox is a colonial green algae

Diatoms Look like flying saucers Brittle shell-like wall Move by floating in currents, or attach

themselves to larger floating surfaces. When they die they fall to the bottom of

the sea floor A build up of these dead diatoms is

called diatomite which is used to make pool filters and tooth paste

Protozoans Protozoan means “first life” Because they must find their food they

must be able to move about. Some have no means of locomotion so they

often get transported as a parasite and cause diseases.

Responsible for malaria Example protozoans:

Amoeba Paramecium

Amoeba A protozoan that uses a flowing motion

to move and pursue its prey. Have pseudopodia which means “false-

foot”

Paramecium Protozoans with hair-like cilia that work

like tiny oars.

Euglena A unique type of algae because it has

characteristics of both protozoans and green algae. Autotrophic like algae Can also be hetertrophic when light is low

which is a characteristic of protozoans. Mobile Uses a whip-like flagella to move

around and get light/food.

Slime Molds Once considered fungi Re-classified because they can move Made of individual cells Look like big blobs Get food by creeping along and

gathering food particles as they move If you cut them into pieces, they will

move themselves back together.

Water Molds Live in wet areas

Example: mildew