KINGDOM PROTISTA

NAME/s: Kristine Mae M. Merhan, Kae Rhenzel A. Monteroso Grp. No. SCORE

Year/Section: 1B Lab Sched: Day: Tuesday Time: 1:30-4:30 DATE: May 03, 2022

Activity # 6
KINGDOM PROTISTA
Work Sheet

Answer the following questions as they apply to the Protista.

1. Define the functions of, and name an organism that is characterized by the following structures:
a. Pseudopodia. They are projections of the cytoplasm of unicellular protists or eukaryotic cell
membrane. Pseudopods have two main functions: (1) locomotion and (2) capture of prey or
ingestion of food. They are also used for ingesting particulate matter while providing mobility
during food hunting. Amoeba and sarcodines are examples of protists that move by
pseudopods.
b. Cilia. Cilia are hair-like projections that move with a wave-like pattern. Cilia cover the surface
of the organism and are responsible for movement as well as feeding. In addition to covering
the outside of the organism, cilia also line the oral groove, moving food into the organism’s
“mouth”. An example of these is the paramecium.
c. Flagella. Flagella are whip-like structures that spin quickly, working like a boat's propeller to
move the organism through water. It serves as a locomotory as well as sensory organ for
some protists just like giardia and euglena.

2. Observation and Comparison of Protozoans

Table 1. Observation and Comparison of Protozoans

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How do you account for the great variation in shape of Amoeba?

Amoebae are sometimes called the world's best 'shape shifters' because they are constantly
changing their shape, it changes its shape by producing the pseudopodia or false feet every
moment.

How many flagella do you see in Giardia and Trypanosoma?

Giardia has eight flagella that are organized as four pairs: the anterior, the caudal, the posteriolateral
and the ventral flagella. On the other hand, Trypanosoma has only one flagellum that emerges from
the basal body near the posterior end of the cell

Do structures present in Euglena suggest its mixotrophic feeding pattern?

Euglena has chloroplasts and performs photosynthesis in light, but moves around in search of food
using its flagellum at night. Therefore, these structures that were present in Euglena suggest a
mixotrophic feeding pattern as it both shows an autotrophic and heterotrophic mode of nutrition.

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3. Fill –out the following: (Description should be based on observable structure only).

Table 2. Illustration and descriptions of some algae.

Specimen: Diatom Drawing:

Description: Algae that live in glass

houses. They are the only organism on
the planet with transparent, opaline
silica cell walls. The cell walls of
diatoms are decorated with intricate
and eye-catching silica patterns.

Specimen : Ectocarpus Drawing:

Description: Ectocarpaceae's type genus

contains numerous more or less branched
filamentous brown algae that are
particularly abundant in cold seas and are
sometimes considered the most primitive of
living brown algae.

Specimen : Slime mold Drawing:

Description: Any of a group of

organisms (such as Myxomycetes) that

exist vegetatively in usually moist

habitats as mobile plasmodia and

reproduce by spores and were

previously thought to be lower fungi but

are now often considered protists.

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3. Define the following terms:
a. Autotrophism. Autotrophs are known as producers because they can produce their own food
using only raw materials and energy. Plants, algae, and certain bacteria are examples.

b. Photoautotrophs. A photosynthetic organism that uses light energy to synthesize organic

molecules, such as a green plant or a cyanobacterium. It consists of green plants as well as
photosynthetic bacteria. They are not to be confused with photoheterotrophs, which generate
energy from light but cannot use CO2 as their sole carbon source and must instead rely on
organic materials.

c. Heterotrophs. Heterotrophs are organisms that obtain energy and nutrients from other plants
or animals. Bacteria, fungi, yeast, cows, dogs, and humans are all part of it. They are all food-
dependent on plants and other animals.

d. Phagocytosis. Phagocytosis is a cellular process that involves the ingestion and elimination
of particles with diameters greater than 0.5 m, such as microorganisms, foreign substances,
and apoptotic cells. Phagocytosis is found in many different types of cells and is thus an
important process for tissue homeostasis. White blood cells, such as macrophages,
neutrophils, dendritic cells, and mast cells, are all examples of phagocytosis. Because their
primary function in the body is to detect and engulf invading bacteria, white blood cells are
referred to as "professional" phagocytes.

e. Parasitism. Parasitism is a relationship in which one plant or animal benefits at the expense
of the other, sometimes without killing the host organism. Helminthes (worms) in the host's
intestines, lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) on the human head, and Plasmodium species
transmitted by anopheline mosquitoes and causing malaria in humans are all examples of
parasitism.

4. Name the carriers (vectors) hosts, symptoms and species of Protists that cause the following
diseases. Place your information in the table provided.

Table 3. Description of some diseases caused by protists.

Name of Carrier (vector) and host Genus and species of Symptoms of

Disease organism(s) Protist Disease
acting as agent of
disease
Malaria Anopheles Plasmodium fever and flu-like
illness, including
shaking chills,
headache, muscle
aches, and tiredness.
Nausea, vomiting,
and diarrhea may
also occur.
Toxoplasma Cats gondii Body aches, Swollen
lymph nodes,
Headaches, Fever,
and Fatigue

Giardiasis beavers, dogs and cats Giardia Kunstler Diarrhea, Gas, Foul-
smelling, greasy poop
that can float,
Stomach cramps or
pain, Upset stomach
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or nausea, and
Dehydration

Amebic Entamoeba histolytica Entamoeba nausea (a feeling of

Dysentery sickness in the
stomach), diarrhea
(loose stool/poop),
weight loss, stomach
tenderness, and
occasional fever.

5. From your answers to the above questions, what would you conclude regarding the economic
importance of Protists? Note: economic importance refers to both benefits derived direct from the
organisms or, their products, as well as any form of expenditure from combating their negative effects.

Protists are found in a variety of ecosystems. Some protist species function in the degradation of
organic materials, while others are important components of the food chain and biomass generators.
Other protists are harmful human infections or the cause of plant illnesses that can be fatal. In some
cases, such as plankton, they are directly consumed. Photosynthetic protists, on the other hand,
serve as food producers for other organisms. Other protists also aid in the breakdown and recycling of
nutrients. Saprobes, for example, are fungus-like protists that specialize in absorbing nutrients from
non-living organic substances such as dead creatures or their wastes. Furthermore, many protists are
involved in medical research. Drugs derived from protists are used to treat high blood pressure,
gastrointestinal problems, ulcers, and arthritis. Other protists are also used in scientific research.
Slime molds are used to assess chemical signals in cells (including D. discoideum, a soil-living
protist). Many protists, on the other hand, are harmful parasites that infect other species in order to
survive and reproduce. Protist parasites cause human malaria, African sleeping sickness, and watery
gastroenteritis. Other protist pathogens feed on plants, wreaking havoc on crops. However, these
pathogenic protists have had a significant impact on both medical and economic progress.

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