Protist Vocabulary

Eukaryote Definition: A cell that has a nucleus. Have organized nucleus with a nuclear envelope Discreet area where they keep their DNA

Protist Definition: A single celled organism. Microscopic organisms that cannot be classified as animals Live in aquatic surroundings

Heterotroph Definition: An organism that must get its food by hunting. Animal-like protists are heterotrophs Most are able to move from place to place to obtain food

Pseudopod Definition: “False foot”, moving the cytoplasm and cell membrane for various purposes. Eating and moving occurs by forming pseudopods Form when cytoplasm flows toward a location

Contractile Vacuole Definition: A structure that collects extra water and expels it from the cell. Fortunately, protists have a contractile vacuole Collects extra water and removes it from the cell

Cilia Definition: A hair-like structure used for movement. Hair-like projections from cells that move with a wave-like motion Sweeps food into the organism Cell Cilia

Flagellum/Flagella Definition: A whip-like structure used for movement. Protists that use long, whip-like flagella to move May have one or more flagella

Autotroph Definition: Organisms that make their own food. Like plants, algae are autotrophs Most are able to use the solar energy to make their own food