EXAMPLES OF PROTISTA

Eukaryotic protists make up the kingdom Protista. Unicelled and less sophisticated in structure than other eukaryotes, members of this varied kingdom are generally unicelluar. On the surface, these creatures are generally classified based on their resemblance to other eukaryotes such as animals, plants, and fungus.

Protista 

A protist is a eukaryotic creature that thrives in watery settings and is generally tiny in size. Eukaryotic cells contain a distinct nucleus that is encased in a membrane. The majority of protists are unicellular, which means that the entire organism is made up of just one cell. Protists aren’t actual animals, plants, or fungi. Which is why they have their own classification, but they do have certain qualities in common with each of these other groups. Many plant-like protists, for example, are autotrophic, meaning they generate their own energy through photosynthesis, much like plants. Protists are divided into four categories: protozoa, algae, slime moulds, and water moulds. Let’s take a closer look at some of the unicellular protists (remember, that means they are made up of only one cell). 

The eukaryotic kingdom Protista is the most varied of all the eukaryotic kingdoms. It is not monophyletic, and the only thing that its members have in common is that they have a basic structure with no visible tissues or organs. Protists are thought to number in the millions, with many more still to be identified. Protists may be found in almost every region where there is some or all of the time water. They serve as the foundation of ecosystems as primary producers, such as photosynthetic protists, or as low-trophic-level consumers, which are then consumed by bigger animals. They range in size from microscopic unicellular creatures to massive seaweeds that can reach 300 feet (100 metres) in length.

Protists have few characteristics in common, yet they are placed together since they do not belong in any of the other kingdoms. Some protists can photosynthesise; others form mutualistic relationships with other protists; some are single-celled; others are multicellular or form colonies; some are microscopic; others are enormous (giant kelp); some are bioluminescent; and some are responsible for a variety of plant and animal diseases. Protists may be found in a variety of settings, including water, wet land habitats, and even within other eukaryotes.

Protista Characteristics

Protists are classed as eukaryotes since they belong to the Eukarya Domain. The nucleus of eukaryotic creatures is surrounded by a membrane, which distinguishes them from prokaryotes. Protists contain extra organelles in their cytoplasm in addition to a nucleus. The endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes are vital for protein production and cellular molecule exocytosis. Lysosomes, which help in the digestion of ingested organic material, are found in many protists. Organelles may be present in certain protist cells but not others. Mitochondria, which supply energy to the cell, are found in protists that share traits with animal cells. Protists with a cell wall and chloroplasts are comparable to plant cells. Photosynthesis is possible in these cells thanks to chloroplasts.

Nutrition Acquisition – Protists have a variety of ways of obtaining food. Some are photosynthetic autotrophs. it means they are self-feeders capable of generating carbohydrates from sunshine. Other protists are heterotrophs, meaning they graze on other species for food. This is performed by phagocytosis, which is the internal engulfment and digestion of particles. Other protists, on the other hand, get their sustenance mostly by absorbing nutrients from their surroundings. Some protists can get nutrients in both photosynthetic and heterotrophic ways.

Locomotion – While some protists are not able to move, others do so in a variety of ways. Flagella or cilia are seen on several protists. Organelles are protrusions made up of specific microtubule groupings that move to drive protists through their damp environment. Other protists migrate by employing pseudopodia, which are transient extensions of their cytoplasm. These extensions are also useful for capturing other species that the protist feeds on.

Reproduction – Asexual reproduction is the most prevalent mode of reproduction among protists. Sexual reproduction is feasible, but it usually only happens when you’re stressed. Binary or multiple fissile materials is used by some protists to reproduce asexually. Others reproduce asexually by budding or the development of spores. Meiosis produces gametes, which join at fertilisation to form new people in sexual reproduction. Algae, for example, display a sort of generational alternation in which their life cycles alternate between haploid and diploid phases.

What are 2 examples of protists?

• Algae, amoebas, euglena, plasmodium, and slime moulds are examples of protists. Algae, diatoms, dinoflagellates, and euglena are only a few examples of photosynthesis-capable protists. Although most of these species are unicellular, they may form colonies.
• Protists are classed based on their form, size, nuclear structure type and quantity, cytoplasmic organelles, presence of endo- or ectoskeletal components, and so on. However, because of their diversity and character, informal categorization is frequently based on nutrition and motility.

Conclusion 

Eukaryotic protists make up the kingdom Protista. The eukaryotic kingdom Protista is the most varied of all the eukaryotic kingdoms. Protists have few characteristics in common, yet they are placed together since they do not belong in any of the other kingdoms