1. Kingdom- Protista
Biology 11

2. Characteristics of Protists
The Protists were the first eukaryotic organisms, and are the precursors to Fungi, Plants, and Animals.
Eukaryotes are distinct from prokaryotes in that they have a true nucleus (membrane bound), as well as other organelles.
They can also be uni- or multi-cellular.
They are known as the precursors because when we watch Protists, we see that the different types of protists act like either animals, plants, or fungi.

3. Common Organelles of Protists
Nucleus: Control center of the cell, DNA contained there.
Endoplasm: The darker cytoplasm in the middle of the organism.
Ectoplasm: The lighter cytoplasm found out toward the cell membrane.
Food Vacuole: As the organism moves around in it’s environment, it will generally engulf food material and break it down.
Lysosomes: Break down waste materials
Contractile Vacuole: Comparable to osmosis, because as water builds up inside the organism, this vacuole will fill up, and then it will move toward the cell membrane, and then the organism will release the water out into the environment.

4. Kingdom- Protista Amoebae Paramecium Euglena

5. Amoebae
Cysts are amoebae specific organelles, that act as a wall to protect the amoeba from a harsh environment.
Amoebae reproduce via a process known as binary fission. This it where an organism splits into two new organisms.
Amoebae move in a specific manner, different from other Protists. Amoebae use pseudopodia (“false feet”) to move around in their environment.

6. Paramecium
There is both a macronucleus, and a micronucleus. The macronucleus controls respiration, protein synthesis, and digestion. The micronucleus controls reproduction.
Two organelles that are unique to paramecium are; the mouth pore, and gullet. Food enters the paramecium through the mouth pore into the gullet. The oral groove leads to the mouth pore, and the gullet leads to food vacuoles. They also have an anal pore where undigested food are removed from the cell.
They are also covered with a thick outer membrane called the pellicle. And in order to look big, or catch prey, they have trichocysts that shoot out from the main body.
Paramecium reproduce by a process called conjugation. Conjugation occurs when two paramecium share DNA from their micronucleus.
All around the outside of paramecium are hair-like projections called cilia. Cilia are used by paramecium to move around in their environment.

7. Euglena
Like Paramecium, the Euglena have a pellicle, that works to keep the cells shape.
Euglena contain chloryphyll, so they can make their own food. Euglena are also able to absorb food from their environments.
In order to make their own food, Euglena need sunlight. Because of this, they have an eyespot, that contains light receptors so they can move towards light.
Euglena are able to move around in their environments with a flagella. The flagella is placed at the front end of the Euglena, and where it attaches is called the reservoir.

8. Protists- A video overview