Kingdom: ProtistaProtists are unicellular organisms that have a

nucleus.

Similar to Bacteria

• Unicellular

• One of the first groups of living things on Earth. (1.5 billion years ago.)

• Microscopic

• Can cause disease.

• Can be parasites

Difference from Bacteria

• Has a nucleus.

• Live in watery environment.

• Generally live as individual cells.

• Protists vary greatly in appearance and function.

3 Categories

• I. Animal-like Protists.

• II. Plant-like Protists.

• III. Fungus-like Protists.

Animal-like Protists

• Protozoan means “First Animal”.

• Cells contain a nucleus.

• Cells lack a cell wall.

• They are heterotrophs.

• Most can move on their own.

Groups of Animal-like Protists

• 1. Sarcodines (SAHR-koh-dighnz)

• 2. Ciliates (SIHL-ee-ihts)

• 3. Flagellates (FLAJ- ehl-ihts)

• 4. Sporozoans (spohr-oh-ZOH-uhnz)

Sarcodines

• Have pseudopods (Greek:“false foot”)

• Extensions of the cell membrane and cytoplasm.

• Pseudopods are used for movement and to capture food.

• Many have shells.

• These shells form limestone, marble and chalk.

One type:

• Most familiar Sarcodine.

• Pseudopods:

• Blob shaped.

• Contractile Vacuoles: controls amount of water inside

• Food Vacuole: where food is digested.

Split Personality

• Amebas reproduce by

dividing into two new

cells (binary fission).

• Amebas can respond to

their environment.

• They are sensitive to

light and some

chemicals.

2. Ciliates

• Have cilia on the

outside of their cells.

• Tiny hair-like

projections used for

movement, to gather

food and as feelers.

Type: Paramecium• Pellicle: tough outer wall.

• Slipper shaped

• Oral groove: like the mouth

• Gullet: holds food.

• Food Vacuole: digests food.

• Anal Pore: removes wastes

• 2 Contractile Vacuoles

• Reproduces by either binary fission or conjugation.

Flagellates (Zooflagellates)

• Have a Flagellum: a long whip-like structure used for movement.

• Many live in animals

• Symbiosis a close relationship, at least one benefits.

• Mutualism: when both partners benefit.

Sporozoans

• All Sporozans are parasites.

• They feed on cells and body fluids.

• Form from Spores (tiny reproductive cells).

• Pass from one host to another.

• Pass from ticks, mosquitoes or other animals to

humans.

II. Plant-like Protists

(Algae)

• Unicellular and Multicellular

• Colonies (groups of unicellular protists)

• Can move on their own

• Autotrophs: make their own food from simple materials

using light energy (photosynthesis).

• 70% of the Earth’s oxygen is produced by Plant-like Protists!

• Pigments: chemicals that produce color

Groups of Plant like Protists

• Euglenoids (yoo-GLEE-noydz)

• Diatoms (DIGH-ah-tahmz)

• Red Algae

• Green Algae

• Brown Algae

1. Euglenoids

• Green

• Unicellular

• Live in fresh water

• Autotrophs, but can be heterotrophs under certain conditions.

• Flagella

• Eyespot: sensitive to light.

• Chloroplasts

• Pellicle

2. Diatoms

• Unicellular

• 10,000 living species.

• Aquatic

• Glass like cell wall

• Diatomaceous earth: course powder that comes from dead diatoms (toothpaste, car polish & reflective paint.

Red Algae

• Multicellular seaweeds

• Live in deep ocean

waters

• Used for ice cream and

hair conditioner

• Used as food in Asia

Brown Algae

• Commonly called seaweed

• Can contain brown, green, yellow, orange and black pigments.

• Attach to rocks

• Have air bladders

• Giant Kelp can be 100 meters long!

• Used as food thickeners

Green Algae

• Most are unicellular

• Some form colonies

• Few are multicellular

• Can live in fresh and salt

water and on land in damp

places.

• Very closely related to green

plants.

III. Fungus-like Protists

• Heterotrophs

• Have cell walls.

• Many have flagella and are able to move at some point in

their lives.

• Three types: Slime Molds, Water & Downy Molds

• Reproduce with Spores (tiny cell that is able to grow into a

new organism)

Water & Downy Molds

• Live in water or moist

places.

• Tiny threads that look

like fuzz.

• Attack food crops

• Caused the Irish Potato

Famine.