Chapter 02

Biological Classification
KINGDOM : PROTISTA

It includes all unicellular , eukaryotic organisms but the boundaries of this

kingdom are not well defined .Hence they are called “taxonomic misfits”.
This kingdom forms a link with all other kingdoms.

The kingdom Protista is divided into five groups:

1.CHRYSOPHYTES:
*It includes unicellular microscopic eukaryotes like diatoms and golden algae.
*They found both in fresh and marine water and floating on the surface of
water called planktons.
*Most of them are photosynthetic and chief producers in the oceans.
*In diatoms the cell wall is made up of silica (golden colour), so diatoms are
known as jewels of the plant kingdom . The cell wall of dead diatoms deposited
on the oceanic bed over billions of years referred to as “diatomaceous earth”
which is used in polishing, filtration of oils and syrups, road paints ,as insulator etc.
Diatomaceous Earth =A soft naturally occurring ,siliceous deposit(rock) formed
from the fossil remains of diatoms or a light coloured porous rock composed of
the shells (frustules)of diatoms.

2.DINOFLAGELLATES:
*These are marine forms and photosynthetic.

*They appear in yellow ,green, brown ,blue or red colour depending on

the main pigments present in their cells.

*They have two flagella, hence the name Dinoflagellates.

*Particularly, red Dinoflagellates undergo rapid multiplication that makes

the sea appear red (red tides/red sea).

*Even they release some toxins that kill many marine animals like fishes.
Ex: Gonyaulax
3.EUGLENOIDS

*Majority of them are fresh water forms found in stagnant water.

*Instead of cell wall, they have protein rich layer called pellicle.
*They are photosynthetic.
Ex: Euglena.

4.SLIME MOULDS
*These are the saprophytic protists.
*Their body moves along decaying twigs and leaves engulfing organic material.
*Under suitable conditions ,they form an aggregation called Plasmodium ,which
may grow and spread over several feet.
*During unfavourable conditions, the Plasmodium differentiates and forms fruiting
bodies bearing spores at their tips.
*The spores possess true walls.
*They are extremely resistant and survive for many years.
*The spores are dispersed by air currents.
5.PROTOZOANS
*All protozoans are heterotrophs and live as predators or parasites.
*They are believed to be primitive relatives of animals.

Protozoan’s are divided into four major groups based on their

Locomotary Structures;

(a)AMOEBOID PROTOZOANS: These organisms live in fresh water ,marine

water or moist soil .They move and capture their food by pseudopodia.
Ex: , Entamoeba (Amoebiasis)

(b)FLAGELLATED PROTOZOANS:(Locomotary structure is Flagella )

The members of this group are either free living
or parasitic. They have flagella. The parasitic form Trypanosoma cause
a disease called sleeping sickness.
Ex: Euglena.
(c) CILIATED PROTOZOANS: (locomotary structure is cilla )
These are aquatic and actively moving organisms
as they have thousands of cilia.
Ex: Paramoecium

(d) SPROZOANS :
Sprozoans are the spore producing protozoans ,locomotary
structures are absent .

Ex: Plasmodium causes malaria.