Protista

Protista is another kingdom we will examine. A very diverse kingdom, some being plantlike, some animal-like and even some that are fungus-like.

Protozoa are group of protists that are heterotrophic. They reproduce in two different manners: asexual through the process of binary fission and sexually through conjugation. Below is a microscopic picture of a paramecium, a type of protozoa. Notice the fuzzy area surrounding the cell membrane called pellicle. Attached to the pellicle are tiny hairlike structure called cilia which beat allowing it to move. The cilia beats in a synchronized pattern causing the paramecium to rotate on its axis.

Also in the kingdom Protista, you will find plantlike autotrophic organisms called algae. These photosynthetic algae can be unicellular, multicellular or sometime found in colonies of single cells. Being that they are photosynthetic they contain chloroplast to produce their own carbohydrates. Much like a plant, it simple structure (lack tissue differentiation) classifies it as a Protist. We will examine both the free swimming algae, Euglena and also Spirogyra, the typical pond algae. Another protist we will examine is the Euglena, a flagellated unicellular algae. Euglena are unique as to they are both heterotrophic, as they eat small green algae and also autotrophic, they use the algae chloroplasts to make carbohydrates. Check out the link below for more information about his freshwater protist.