1. Plant-like Protists *First ‘plants’ General Characteristics:
eukaryotic, unicellular to multicellular , diverse
live primarily by photosynthesizing and at times heterotrophically ingesting
thrives in all types of aquatic environment
Euglena spp.

2. Basic Characteristics of Plant-like Protists
Chlorophyll and accessory pigments allow to harvest and use the energy from sunlight
Euglenophytes (Euglenophyta) are plant-like protists that have two flagella, but no cell wall
About half of dinoflagellates (Pyrrophyta) are photosynthetic; the other half live as heterotrophs
Members of the phylum Chrysophyta are a diverse group of plant-like protists that have gold-colored chloroplasts
Diatoms (Bacillariophyta) produce thin, delicate cell walls rich in silicon (Si)—the main ingredient in glass

3. Euglenophyta Euglenoids (type specimen Euglena); with paramylon oils
Chlorophyll a, b, and c, accessory pigments include carotenoids
No cell wall, has flexible proteinaceous pellicle
When grown in the dark, Euglena’s chloroplasts disappear and it becomes heterotrophic; chloroplasts reappear upon exposure to light; 2 flagella

5. Model Reproduction for Protists

6. Euglena

8. Pyrrophyta / Dinoflagellata
Fire Protists (Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum); with starch and oils
Chlorophyll a and c, accessory pigments include carotenoids
Has cell plates of cellulose and silica
Some forms are bioluminescent; colorful blooms form red tides (HAB’s); 2 flagella

9. Structure

10. Pyrodinium

11. Chrysophyta
Golden Protists (Peroniella; Diaphanoeca); with chrysolaminarin oils
Chlorophyll a and c, accessory pigments include high carotenoids
Cell wall has pectin compounds with siliceous materials
With flagella (1-2) while some groups are aggregated
Golden colored chloroplasts

12. Bacillariophyta Structure
Diatoms (Navicula; Synedra); with high oil content
Chlorophyll a and c, accessory pigments include high carotenoids
Siliceous in nature
Non-motile or with pseudopodia
Diatomaceous earth; glasslike, ornate shells in two halves; often mixed with Chrysophyta