Protists and Fungi

The protist kingdom is sometimes called the “junk drawer” kingdom because it is filled with organisms that don’t fit easily into other kingdoms. Even though protists are usually unicellular, some are multi-cellular. Some are heterotrophs, and some are autotrophs. They live in moist environments. They vary in the ways they move and obtain energy. Protist Kingdom

Three Types of Protists Because protists vary greatly, scientists have proposed three ways of grouping protists, based on how they obtain their energy. There are three different types Animal-like protists Plant-like protists Fungus-like protists

Animal-Like Protists Like animals, animal-like protists have structures that enable them to move around. These organisms, like animals, are heterotrophs. They ingest or absorb food after capturing or trapping it. Animal-like protists are called protozoans, and they are unicellular, unlike animals.

Plant-like Protists Most plant-like protists are called algae. All algae are autotrophs. They produce food through photosynthesis.

Fungus-like Protists Fungus-like protists are heterotrophs. They obtain their food by external digestion either as decomposers or as parasites.

Protists Some protists have both autotrophic and heterotrophic characteristics.

Protists Protists have three main ways to move. This movement is sometimes called locomotion.

Movement With Pseudopods A pseudopod (false foot) is a temporary finger-like projection or bulge of the cell membrane. The cytoplasm flows into the bulge and the rest of the organism follows. These are used to help the protist move and catch food. Amoebas are protozoans that use pseudopods to move.

Movement With Cilia Cilia are small hair- like projections on the surface (cell membrane) of cells that move with a wavelike pattern. Food is swept into mouth-like structures. Cilia move organisms by acting like tiny oars which beat in rhythm. A paramecium is a protozoan (protist) that uses cilia to move around.

Movement with Flagellum Some protists use flagella for movement. A flagellum is a long whip-like tail used to move and/or catch food. An example of this type of protist is the Euglena.

Fungi Kingdom Fungi Facts Belong to the Kingdom Fungi Includes microorganisms such as yeast and molds Also includes multicellular organisms such as mushrooms Heterotrophs Need warm moist places to grow

Food for Fungi Three main ways to obtain energy Saprophytic – get energy from decaying organic matter Parasitic – feed on other living organisms (hosts) and harm the host Symbiotic – feed on other living organisms (hosts) but do not harm the host; sometimes the host even benefits from the fungi

Fungi In most cases, fungi are not mobile organisms. They are often categorized based on their fruiting structures (i.e. structures for reproduction and spore dispersal)

Fungus Humor Why did the Mushroom get invited to all the parties? 'Cuz he's a fungi! Why did the Fungi leave the party? There wasn't mushroom.