Transcript Kingdom Protista - Dr. Annette M. Parrott

Kingdom Protista
• All protists are eukaryotes.
This means that their cells
contain a nucleus, a
membrane-bounded
structure that encloses the
cell's genetic material.
• Some protists are
autotrophs like plants,
others are consumers like
animals. Unlike plants and
animals, however, protists
do not have cells organized
into specialized tissues.
Protista Classified by Nutrition
• The first detailed descriptions of protists
were made in 1676 by the inventor of the
microscope, Dutch naturalist Leewenhoek.
• The term Protista was first used in 1862
by the German biologist Haeckel to
describe microscopic organisms that
were neither animallike nor plantlike
• The classification is currently based on the
structure and organization of the cell, the
presence of organelles, and the pattern of
reproduction or life cycles. The fivekingdom system divides the Protista into 27
phyla. However, classifications based on
comparisons of cell physiology and DNA
sequences suggest that many protist phyla
may be sufficiently large and diverse to be
classified as kingdoms.
• Auto trophic Protists are called “Algae”.
Scientists believe they gave rise to the
kingdome Plantae
• Ingestive Heterotrophic protists are called
“Proto zoa”. Scientists believe they
gave rise to the kingdom Animalia
• Absorptive heterotrophic protists are
called “Slimemolds”. Scientists believe
they gave rise to the kingdom Fungi
Protozoa classified by locomotion
• The word protozoa means
"little animal." They are so
named because many
species behave like tiny
animals—specifically, they
hunt and gather other
microbes as food.
• Protozoa mainly feed on
bacteria, but they also eat
other protozoa, bits of stuff
that has come off of other
living things—what's
generally called organic
matter—and sometimes
fungi.
• Sarcodines, Flagellates,
Ciliates, Sporozoans,
Actinophrys feeding on Colpidium
Classification of Algae
• When you think of algae, you probably
think of seaweed or the green, slimy
stuff that forms on the walls of untreated,
dirty swimming pools.
• Algae are found in bodies of fresh and
salt water across the globe. They can
also grow on rocks and trees and in soil
when enough moisture is available.
(They also grow on the hair of the South
American sloth, giving the animal a
greenish color.)
• Most algae are able to make energy
from sunlight, like plants do. They
produce a large amount of the oxygen
we breathe. However, at some stages of
their lives, some algae get their nutrients
from other living things.
Slimemolds, Watermolds & Mildews
• Slime molds have traits like
both fungi and animals. They
have very complex life
cycles involving multiple
forms and stages. During
good times, they live as
independent, amoeba-like
cells, dining on fungi and
bacteria. But if conditions
become uncomfortable—not
enough food available, the
temperature isn't right, etc.—
individual cells begin
gathering together to form a
single structure.
• Water mold caused the Irish
Potato Famine in 1846
Harmful Protists
• Produce a nerve poison in
shellfish that kills humans and
fish in red tide
• Cause diseases: Chaga’s
disease, Malaria, 2, Lyme
disease, diarrhea,
toxoplasmosis, dysentary,
Trypanosomaisis, 2,
Leishmaniasis, 2,
Toxoplasma, Cryptospiridium,
Leishmaniasis, Brain Amoeba
• Cause mold and mildew
which can spoil food and
cause allergic reactions
Beneficial Protists
• Used as insect pathogens
• used in ice cream, soups, nori
(seaweed in sushi), jello, agar,
vitamin supplements
• ancient dinoflagellates formed oil
deposits
• bioluminescent
• diatoms mined for fine abrasives in
silver polish and toothpaste and as
packing in air and water filters
• marine phytoplankton make up
~70% of the oxygen on the planet
Diatom Detectives
Protista Links
• Protist Kingdom:
http://www.kent.wednet.edu/staff/kloschky/Protists%20Folder/protist
s.html
• Phylogenetic Tree:
http://science.kennesaw.edu/biophys/biodiversity/protista/prot.htm
• Protozoa Bio 4 Kids:
http://www.biology4kids.com/files/micro_protozoa.html
• Microbe Zoo, Dirtland: http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/dlcme/zoo/zdmain.html