Protista
Examples of Protista's
- Amoeba proteus - This small protozoan uses tentacular protuberances called pseudopodia to move and phagocytose smaller unicellular organisms, which are enveloped inside the cell's cytoplasm in a food vacuole, where they are slowly broken down by enzymes.
- Euglena gracilis - Euglena is a genus of single-celled flagellate protists. It is the best known and most widely studied member of the class Euglenoidea, a diverse group containing some 54 genera and at least 800 species. Species of Euglena are found in fresh and salt waters.
- Paramecium Aurelia - Paramecium aurelia are unicellular organisms belonging to the genus Paramecium of the phylum Ciliophora. They are covered in cilia which help in movement and feeding. Paramecium can reproduce sexually, asexually, or by the process of endomixis.
- Plasmodium falciparum - Plasmodium falciparum is a protozoan parasite, one of the species of Plasmodium that cause malaria in humans. It is transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquito. Malaria caused by this species is the most dangerous form of malaria, with the highest rates of complications and mortality.
- Pediastrum boryanum - Pediastrum is a genus of algae, in the family Hydrodictyaceae. It is a photoautotrophic, nonmotile coenobial green algae that inhabits freshwater environments. Pediastrum reproduces asexually by producing autocolonies.
Characteristics of a Protista
- A characteristic of protista is that it's cells are eukaryotic, this means that it contains a true nucleus
- A characteristic of protista is that it is Uni- colonial- or multicellular (yeast 1 cell) meaning it is made up of cells.
- A characteristic of protista is that it is moile, meaning it moves around for it's whole life. Does not stay in the same place.
- A characteristic of Protista is that it is autotrophic and heterotrophic. Auto trophic means it gains energy from the sun. Heterotrophic is an organism deriving its nutritional requirements from complex organic substances.
- A characteristic of Protista is that it is asexual meaning it does not require a mate to reproduce.
- A characteristic of Protista is that it is a "catch-all", which is a term or category that includes a variety of different possibilities.
Where are Protista's found?
Most protists can be found in moist and wet areas. They can also be found in tree trunks and other organisms.
Fun facts
- Many protists act as pathogens to humans. This means they cause diseases.
- The disease malaria is caused by the protist Plasmodium falciparum.
Sources
http://www.microbeworld.org/types-of-microbes/protista
http://www.biologycorner.com/lesson-plans/phyla/kingdom-Protista/
http://study.com/academy/lesson/kingdom-protista-definition-characteristics-examples.html
http://biology.clc.uc.edu/courses/bio106/protista.htm
http://www.biologycorner.com/lesson-plans/phyla/kingdom-Protista/
http://study.com/academy/lesson/kingdom-protista-definition-characteristics-examples.html
http://biology.clc.uc.edu/courses/bio106/protista.htm