1. Kingdom Protista
Domain: Eukarya

2. General characteristics
All protists are EUKARYOTES
They can’t be classified as animals, plants or fungi
Most are unicellular (ONE CELL)
All protists live in moist environment
3 major groups:
Animal-like protists
Plant-like protists
Fungus-like protists

3. Animal-like protists A.K.A. “protozoans” Heterotrophs Unicellular
Move to get food
Move by PSEUDOPODS (Amoeba) – extensions of cell membrane and cytoplasm
Move by FLAGELLA (Giardia) – longer than cilia (one or just a few)
Move by CILIA (Paramecium) – many short hair-like structures
Amoeba
Paramecium
Giardia

4. Plant-like protists A.K.A “algae” or “phytoplankton” Autotrophs
Most are unicellular
They use pigment to capture light and
make their own food (AUTOTROPH)
Some can move using flagella
Live in upper layers of water bodies (need sunlight)
Good food source for other aquatic organisms
Produce a majority of Earth’s oxygen

5. Fungus-like protists Heterotrophs
Slime mold
Fungus-like protists
Heterotrophs
decomposers: feed on dead/decaying organisms)
They have a cell wall made of chitin (type of sugar)
Reproduce by spores
Can move at some point in their life cycle
Slime molds
Water molds
Downy mildews
Water Mold

6. Reproduction Asexual (many protists) Sexual (example: Paramecium)
Binary fission: single cell divides into 2 identical cells
Multiple fission: single cell divides into 3 or more identical cells
Protists that are parasites have complex reproduction cycles (some stages in one host, then a second stage in a vertebrate host)
Conjugation: 2 individuals join and exchange genetic material by swapping their small nucleus, then each divide producing 4 new individuals
Examples of parasitic protists:
Plasmodium vivax (malaria)
Giardia sp.

7. Nutrition Feed on other organisms MAKE THEIR OWN FOOD! BOTH
Heterotroph
Autotroph
Mixotroph
Heterotroph
Animal-like
Fungus-like
Autotroph
Plant-like
Mixotroph
Some fungus-like
Some plant-like
MAKE THEIR OWN FOOD!
Photosynthesis
BOTH
(depends on conditions)

8. FUNGI KINGDOM

9. General Information Soil dwelling decomposer mostly
Resemble plants, but are more closely related to animals
Heterotrophs (absorption of food from environment)
Cell wall made of chitin (same as Arthropods)
Most Fungi have symbiotic relationships with plant roots (mycorrhizae) lichens and algae
Increase surface area for water uptake

10. Body Structure Hyphae: tubular filaments
Intertwined to form a Mycelium (extend above and below ground)
Fungi can grow very fast – they just need moisture

11. Ecological Impact Decomposers: recycle nutrients back to environment
Plant pathogens (disease): wheat rust, corn smut, Dutch Elm disease
Human pathogens (disease): ringworm, athletes foot, jock itch, yeast infections, dandruff
Some are used as medicine
Some are used as food