Chapter 3: Protists & Fungi Review of Topics

Protists Animal-like protists, or protozoa, are heterotrophs and unicellular. Protozoans can move by pseudopods, cilia, or flagella. Plantlike protists are autotrophs. Most are unicellular but some are multicellular. Most algae plays an important role in the food chain. It also is responsible for adding much of the oxygen into the atmosphere. Funguslike protists are heterotrophs and use spores to reproduce.

Fungi Hyphae are the branching, thread-like tubes that make up the bodies of multicellular fungi. Fungi reproduce by releasing spores that will be carried away to new locations. Fungi are decomposers, they can are used in medicines, they can cause diseases. Plants with a root-fungus association can grow to be larger and healthier with the help of the fungus.

Review Questions

In what way are diatoms, dinoflagellates, and other plantlike protists similar to plants?

Why is sunlight important to plantlike protists?

How are the animal-like protists similar to animals How are the animal-like protists similar to animals? How are they different?

Why is it an advantage to a fungus to produce millions of spores?

Suppose all the fungi in a forest disappeared Suppose all the fungi in a forest disappeared. What do you think the forest would be like without fungi?

How are the cells of a bread mold arranged How are the cells of a bread mold arranged? How are the cells of a mushroom arranged?