Protists

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Protist Noun

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[proh-tist]

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Protist

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A eukaryote that is not a member of the plant, animal, or fungi kingdoms; a diverse group of mostly unicellular organisms.

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Example: This model shows an amoeba, a type of protist. It highlights key parts like the nucleus, pseudopodia for movement, and organelles for cell functions.

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Eukaryote Noun

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[yoo-kar-ee-oht]

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Eukaryote

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An organism whose cells contain a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.

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Example: This diagram shows the four major kingdoms of Eukarya (eukaryotes): Protists (Protoctista), Fungi, Plants (Plantae), and Animals (Animalia).

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Prokaryote Noun

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[proh-kar-ee-oht]

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Prokaryote

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A unicellular organism that lacks a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.

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Example: This diagram shows a prokaryote (a bacterium), a simple cell with its DNA in a nucleoid region, not contained within a membrane-bound nucleus.

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Unicellular Adjective

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[yoo-ni-sel-yuh-ler]

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Unicellular

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Describing an organism that consists of a single cell which carries out all essential life functions.

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Example: This diagram shows an Amoeba, a single-celled protist. All of its life functions, like eating and moving, happen within this one cell.

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Multicellular Adjective

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[muhl-tee-sel-yuh-ler]

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Multicellular

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Describing an organism that consists of more than one cell, often with specialized functions.

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Example: This image shows how a multicellular organism is built from smaller parts, starting with a cell, which groups to form tissue, then an organ.

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Clade Noun

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[klayd]

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Clade

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A group of organisms that are believed to have evolved from a common ancestor.

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Example: This diagram shows a cladogram. A clade is a group of organisms that includes a common ancestor and all of its descendants, highlighted here by the colored boxes.

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Amoeboid movement Noun

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[uh-mee-boid moov-muhnt]

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Amoeboid movement

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A type of locomotion involving the changing of cell shape through the use of cytoplasmic projections.

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Example: This diagram shows how an amoeba moves by changing its shape. It extends temporary 'feet' called pseudopodia and flows its cytoplasm into them.

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Pseudopod Noun

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[soo-doh-pod]

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Pseudopod

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A temporary cytoplasmic projection of a cell that is used for movement and feeding.

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Example: This diagram of an amoeba shows pseudopods, which are temporary 'false feet' that extend to surround and engulf a food particle for nutrition.

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Cilium Noun

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[sil-ee-uhm]

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Cilium

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A short, numerous, hair-like appendage on the surface of a cell used for movement.

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Example: This diagram shows a Paramecium, a type of protist, covered in tiny hair-like structures called cilia, which it uses for movement.

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Flagellum Noun

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[fluh-jel-uhm]

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Flagellum

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A relatively long, whip-like appendage, usually numbering one or two per cell, used for movement.

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Example: This diagram shows a flagellum, a long, whip-like tail that uses a propeller-like motion to move a protist cell through water.