Part III: Protistans Differ

from Prokaryotes

 Have a nucleus and organelles

 Have proteins associated with DNA
 Use microtubules in a cytoskeleton,
spindle apparatus, and cilia and
flagella
 May contain chloroplasts
 May divide by mitosis and meiosis
 Major Lineages

Heterotrophs Autotrophs Mix or Both

 Euglenoids
 Protozoans  Green algae
 Dinoflagellate

 Sporozoans  Golden algae

 Diatoms
 Animal-Like Protistans
 Informally known as protozoans
 May resemble single-celled
heterotrophic protistans that gave rise to
animals
 Include predators, parasites, and
grazers
 Major Groups of Protozoans

 Sarcodina - Amoeboid protozoans

 Ciliphora - Ciliated protozoans

 Mastigophora - Animal-like flagellates

 Sporozoans - Parasitic heterotrophs

 Answer 26
 26. Protistans differ from prokaryotes.
 State two differences:
 Protistans have: a membrance bound
nucleus; organelles such as mitochondria,
chloroplasts; microtubules; mitosis and
meiosis
 Prokaryotes lack these structures.
 Answer 27
 27. Animal-like protistans are informally
known as:
 Protozoa
 Answer 28
 28. Which of the following is (are)
mismatched?

 Sarcodina – amoeboid protozoans

 Ciliophora – parasitic heterotrophs such as
sporazoans
 Mastigophora – animal-like flagellates
 Naked Amoebas

 Change shape constantly

 Move by means of pseudopods
 Most are free-living cells that engulf
their prey
 Some are symbionts in animal guts
 A few are opportunistic pathogens
 Florida Boy Dies From
Amoeba Infection In Brain
(CNN) -- An unidentified 12-year-old died Friday
after being infected with an amoeba while
swimming in a Florida lake.
The boy had meningeal encephalitis -- a
combination of meningitis and encephalitis,
which causes the brain to swell, according to Dr.
Jaime Carrizosa, an infectious disease specialist
from Florida Hospital in Orlando. Carrizosa had
treated the boy.

http://www.rense.com/general27/oom.htm
Other Ameboid Protozoans
 Foraminiferans
 Calcium carbonate shell
 Radiolarians and Heliozoans
 Shells of silica
 Question 29
 29. Amoeba move by means of
cilia/pseudopods/flagella. (Choose one)
 Answer 29
 29. Amoeba move by means of
cilia/pseudopods/flagella. (Choose one)
 Answer 30
 30. “Shelled” Amoebas have “houses”
made from silica/calcium carbonate/ or
some silica and others calcium carbonate.
(choose one)
 Answer 31
 31. True/false. All amoebas are free-living;
none are parasitic. (If false, give a counter
example)

 False. Some freshwater types can invade

the brain and cause death. Others are
internal parasites.
 Ciliated Protozoans

 Phylum Ciliphora
 All heterotrophs
 Arrays of cilia allow
movement and direct
food into oral cavity Hypotrich
 Ciliate Conjugation
 Most ciliates have two different nuclei
 Large macronucleus
 Smaller micronucleus
 Micronucleus participates in sexual
reproduction (conjugation)
 Partners exchange micronuclei
 Answer 32
 32. What is name for the phylum which
contains ciliates such as Paramecium?

 Ciliophora
 Answer 33
 33. Ciliates have two types of nuclei.
Name them.
 Macronuclei and micronuclei
 Answer 34
 34. What is the name for the process
where ciliates exchange micronuclei?

 conjugation
 Answer 35
 35. Ciliates use cilia for both locomotion
and feeding.
 Animal-Like Flagellates
 Phylum Mastigophora
 Move by means of flagella
 All are heterotrophs
 Free-living species in freshwater and
marine habitats
 Many are internal parasites
 Stopped here 2/28/2007
 Body Plan of a Trypanosome
(Causes African Sleeping
Sickness)

Undulating
membrane mitochondrion
basal body
of
flagellum

free flagellum

nucleus
Trichomonas vaginalis
(Common STD)
 Trichomonas vaginalis
 “Trichomonas vaginalis is a sexually transmitted
disease (STD), although transmission by other
routes (such as soiled towels) has been
documented. 

   Most people infected with trichomoniasis are

asymptomatic. 

 Symptomatic infections are characterized by a

white discharge from the genital tract and
itching.” 

 Red Tide Toxins Can Cause
Respiratory Problems in Humans

Source: Boston Globe, 3/29/05

 Answer 36
 36. Animal-like flagellates belong to the
phylum Mastigophora.
 Answer 37
 37. Name two flagellates that may cause
health or environmental problems.

 Trypanosomes, Trichamonas, and /or

dinoflagellates (red tide organisms)
 Sporozoans
 Parasitic
 Complete part of the life cycle inside
specific cells of a host organism
 Many have elaborate life cycles that
require different hosts
 Many cause serious human disease
 Cryptosporidium
 Motile infective stage (sporozoite)
invades intestinal epithelium
 Causes cramps, watery diarrhea

 Commonly transmitted by

water contaminated with cysts

 Cryptosporidium sp
 “Cryptosporidium sp. could occur, theoretically, on any
food touched by a contaminated food handler. Incidence
is higher in child day care centers that serve food.
Fertilizing salad vegetables with manure is another
possible source of human infection. Large outbreaks are
associated with contaminated water supplies. Relative
Frequency of Disease: Direct human surveys indicate a
prevalence of about 2% of the population in North
America. Serological surveys indicate that 80% of
the population has had cryptosporidiosis. The
extent of illness associated with reactive sera is not
known.”
http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~mow/chap24.html
 Toxoplasma
 Cysts may be ingested with raw or
undercooked meat
 Exposure to cysts from cat feces
 Symptoms are usually mild in people with
normal immune function
 Infection during pregnancy can kill or
damage the embryo
 Study Links Parasites In
Freshwater Runoff To Sea Otter
Deaths
 “Science Daily — In recent years, wildlife veterinarians
have become concerned about the increasing number of
southern sea otters dying in California. The current otter
population is 10 percent lower than it was in 1995.
Disease has been identified as one reason. Two species
of protozoa, Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis
neurona, have been identified as
important causes of fatal brain
infections in these otters. “

 Note: Cat feces from freshwater runoff

linked to infections!
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/06/020627004404.htm
 Malaria
 Symptoms have been known for more
than 2,000 years
 Most prevalent in tropical and
subtropical parts of Africa
 Kills a million Africans each year
 Caused by four species of Plasmodium
 Transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes
 Baghdad Boil' Afflicting U.S.
Troops

 Sun Apr 18, 5:36 PM ET By STEPHEN

MANNING, Associated Press Writer
 “WASHINGTON - Staff Sgt. Eric DiVona
didn't notice the small bumps on his face
and left earlobe until he returned from
serving nine months in Iraq (news - web
sites). Nothing much, he thought, probably
just a spider bite.”
 In the News: “Baghdad Boils”
 “Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by the
protozoa of the Leishmania species, which
is transmitted by the bite of a female
sandfly.
 leishmaniasis is classified as cutaneous,
mucocutaneous, and visceral
leishmaniasis.”
 LEISHMANIA (Sporazoan)
    4 PATHOGENIC SPECIES

    INFECTION OCCURS FROM INJECTION OF

THE LARVAE FROM AN  INFECTED
SANDFLY- THE INTERMEDIATE HOST

PHAGOCYTIC CELLS INGEST THE PARASITE

BUT CANNOT KILL THEM

SANDFLY INGESTS THE PARASITE FROM

DOGS
“Dogs are considered the major
reservoir for human disease.”
 Answer 38
 38. All of these organisms are parasitic.
There are many different species including
the malarial organisms. sporazoans
 Answer 39
 39. Why should pregnant women avoid
contact with cats? Cats are vectors of the
sporazoan, Toxaplasma. Infection of
pregnant women can cause harm or even
death to the fetus.
 Answer 40
 40. What is the vector of the malarial
organism? Female mosquitoes
 Euglenoids
 Phylum Euglenophyta
 Free-living flagellated cells that live in
freshwater
 Majority are photoautotrophs
 Some are heterotrophs that feed on
dissolved organic compounds
 Sewage pollution indicator organisms
Euglenoid Body Plan (Refer to text)

long flagellum

chloroplast

eyespot
shielding a
light-sensitive ER
receptor
nucleus Golgi body mitochondrion pellicle
 Chrysophytes
 Phylum Chrysophyta

 Mainly free-living photosynthetic cells

 Four groups:

- Golden algae - Diatoms

- Yellow-green algae - Coccolithophores
 Diatom Characteristics
 Cell wall is composed of silica
 Two valves (halves) similar to a Petri dish
 Golden/green in color
 Important primary producers in both
marine and freshwater ecosystems
 Green Algae

 Phylum Chlorophyta
 7,000 species
 Resemble plants
 Chlorophylls a and b
 Starch grains in chloroplasts
Ulva
 Cell walls of cellulose, pectins
Chlamydomonas Life Cycle (Refer
to text for graphic)

Zygote

Diploid
Nuclear Meiosis,
fusion Haploid germination

Mitosis
Cytoplasmic Asexual
fusion Asexual
reproduction reproduction

Sexual
reproduction

Gametes meet
 Answer 41
 41. To what phylum do Euglena and its
relatives belong?

 Euglenophyta
 Answer 42
 42. What type of algae live in “glass
houses” and are important primary
producers?

 diatoms
 Answer 43
 43. What major group (phyla) of algae
most closely resemble green plants?

 Green algae (Chlorophyta)