1.

Any organism not classified as a—plant, animal,

fungus, or bacteria (prokaryote).

2. Protists are eukaryotic having a distinct nucleus

and organelles.
3. Most protists are unicellular (one-celled) but
some are multicellular.
4. Protists are primarily classified according to
how they obtain nutrition:
a. Animal-like—heterotrophs Didinium
eating
(eat other organisms) Paramecium

b. Plant-like—autotrophs
They contain chloroplasts Green like plants!

and make their own food

(photosynthesis).

a. Fungus-like—
Water mold
Decomposers/Heterotrophs
Animal-like Protists (Protozoans)
1. Method of Movement:
a. Cilia—hair-like projections used for movement and Video

feeding

b. Cytoplasmic streaming—pseudopod (false foot) extends

Video
and cytoplasm streams into it.
2. Paramecium:

Contractile Vacuole
Collects and removes excess H2O
(Maintains homeostasis)
Nucleus

Cilia

Oral Groove
Used to collect food

Cell Membrane
3. Amoeba:

Nucleus

Contractile Vacuole

Pseudopod
(False foot)
4. Importance of Animal-like
Protists:
a. Harmful

i. Disease-causing parasites spread

by insect bites

1. Malaria—Plasmodium spread
by mosquito

2. African Sleeping Sickness—

Trypmosoma
spread by Tsetse fly
b. Beneficial

i. Recycles nutrients by breaking down dead matter

ii. Food source—for other organisms

iii. Mutualism—both organisms benefit

Example: Trichonympha—makes it
possible for termites to eat
wood. Termites do not have the
enzymes to digest wood.
 Plant-like Protists
1. Method of Movement:
a. Flagellum—whip-like structure used for movement

2. Euglena: Eyespot For photosynthesis

(light)

Nucleus
Flagella
Video

Contractile Vacuole

Chloroplasts
3. Unicellular Algae:

a. Phytoplankton provides a source of nourishment for

other organisms

b. Protists recycle sewage and waste materials.

C. Algal blooms are harmful when overgrown—deplete water of
nutrients consequently killing fish.

Algal blooms called Red Tides cause illness, paralysis, and

death of fish and even humans.
4. Multicellular Algae:

a. Examples---

i. Red Algae
ii. Green Algae
iii. Brown Algae
5. Uses of Algae:

a. Algae is a good food source for life in

the oceans.

b. Algae produces much of Earth’s oxygen

through photosynthesis.

c. Algae is used to make sushi, ice cream,

salad dressing, plastics, paint, agar.
Fungus-like Protists:

1. Examples—

a. Slime molds

b. Water molds
2. Importance of Fungus-like Protists:

a. Beneficial—
Recycles dead organic material. Results
in rich, topsoil providing nutrients for
plants.
b. Harmful—

P. Infestans (water mold) caused

Great Potato Famine in Ireland.
This lead to the mass starvation of
1 million Irish people.