Protista

1. Protista Anshul, Sydney, Jared

2. Introduction The kingdom “Protista” describes a very diverse group of eukaryotes that are grouped together because they lack characteristics that would place them in any of the other eukaryotic kingdoms (plants, fungi, animals). Protists are divided into three groups: animal-like protists, plant-like protists, and fungus like protists. Most protists are more alike members of other kingdoms than other protists.

3. Vocabulary • protist→ eukaryote that is not an animal, plant, or fungus • protozoa→ animal-like protist • pseudopod→ temporary extension of cytoplasm and plasma membrane that helps protozoa move and feed • cilia→ (singular is “cilium”) short hairlike structures that help cover some or all of the cell surface and help the organism swim and capture food • algae→ (singular is “alga”) photosynthetic plant-like protists

4. Animal-like Protist: Paramecium aurelia • Paramecium aurelia is a single-celled eukaryote that does not have a cell wall. • It is unique compared to other ciliates in that is contains two types of nuclei: • one macronucleus that controls the cells activities • the possibility of many (up to 80) other micronuclei which contain the cell’s chromosomes; they can be exchanged during conjugation which increases genetic diversity. • Food is moved into the oral groove (a paramecium aurelia’s “mouth”) by the cilia. The food is then sent to the gullet, and eventually digested into the vacuoles. • Contractile vacuoles act like pumps and control the water level in the cell.

5. Animal-like Protist - Paramecium aureliacontinued • heterotrophic→ eat other microorganisms such as bacteria, algae, and yeasts. • cannot see, taste, touch, or hear, but it can sense movements when it bumps into things; it can also sense certain chemicals • swims using the cilia to spiral through the water • usually live in warm, stagnant water • form symbiotic relationships with green algae, which live in their cytoplasm; the algae, in turn, provides food from photosynthesis • Parameciumaurelia can reproduce either asexually or sexually, but more often reproduce asexually. They normally reproduce 2-3 times a day. • Other species of Paramecium include aurelia, bursaria, caudatum, etc.

6. Plant-like Protist - Pediastrum boryanum - Type of green algae - Are autotrophic - unicellular - Reproduce asexually through zoospores - they release these spores, which form new cells - Can reproduce sexually through isogametes as well (2 gametes that are the exact same come together to form a zygote) - Typically live in colonies of 8, 16, or 32 cells - Contains a cell wall covered with fine granules - Feed on animal waste - Is preyed upon by organisms such as frogs and salamanders - Mutualistic relationship with many animals as they create oxygen in the water while taking in carbon dioxide - Cannot move on its own - must be in a colony to move

7. Fungus-like Protist -Phytophthora infestans -Downy mildew -Multicellular -Is a eukaryote -Has a cell wall made of mainly cellulose -Cellulose gives the cells a strong, rigid outer layer which helps the organism infect the potato -Can’t move on it’s own -Kills crops -Heterotrophic- lives off other organisms (mostly potatoes) -Has a parasitic relationship with plants -Can reproduce sexually or asexually -Caused the Potato Famine in Ireland which killed over 1 million people

8. Kingdom - Protista -can be unicellular or multicellular -can reproduce sexually or asexually -may or may not have a cell wall. -sometimes called the “junk drawer” kingdom. -are more closely related to organisms in other eukaryotic kingdoms than to each other -may have different methods of movement -respond to the environment differently -only 2 shared characteristics: (1) are eukaryotic and (2) don’t fit in anywhere else -can be heterotrophic or autotrophic

9. Works Cited • Pediastrum. (2014).In Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1512690/Pediastrum • green algae. (2004, January 1). green algae. Retrieved January 1, 2014, from http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/green_algae.htmhttp://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/green_algae.htm • Nowicki, S., & McDougal, L. (2008). Protists and Fungi. McDougal Littell biology ( ed., ). Evanston, Ill.: McDougal Littell. • Paramecium. (n.d.). Paramecium. Retrieved , from http://101science.com/paramecium.htm • (1995, ). Protist Information Server. Protist Images: Pediastrum boryanum. Retrieved April 16, 2014, from http://protist.i.hosei.ac.jp/pdb/Images/Chlorophyta/Pediastrum/boryanum/boryanum2c.html • (2014, 15). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Paramecium - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved April 16, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramecium • Uchida, J. (n.d.). Phytophthora infestans. Phytophthora infestans. Retrieved January 1, 2014, from http://www.extento.hawaii.edu/kbase/crop/type/p_infest.htm • Create your APA book citation. (2000, January 1). Citation Machine: APA format citation generator for books. Retrieved January 1, 2014, from http://www.citationmachine.net/apa/cite-a-book