Protists and Fungi

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Protist Noun

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[proh-tist]

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Protist

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A eukaryotic organism that is not classified as a plant, animal, or fungus, representing a highly diverse kingdom.

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Example: This image shows a model of an amoeba, a type of protist, labeling key parts like the nucleus, pseudopodia for movement, and organelles.

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Eukaryotic Adjective

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[yoo-kar-ee-ot-ik]

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Eukaryotic

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Describing a cell or organism that possesses a membrane-bound nucleus and other specialized organelles within its cytoplasm.

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Example: This diagram shows that eukaryotes are a major group of life that includes four kingdoms: protists (Protoctista), fungi, plants (Plantae), and animals (Animalia).

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Heterotroph Noun

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[het-er-uh-trof]

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Heterotroph

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An organism that obtains its necessary nutrients by consuming other living organisms, as it cannot produce its own food.

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Example: This image shows different types of heterotrophs, which are organisms that eat other organisms for energy, including carnivores, herbivores, omnivores, and decomposers.

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Autotroph Noun

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[aw-toh-trof]

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Autotroph

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An organism capable of synthesizing its own food from inorganic substances, typically using light or chemical energy.

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Example: This diagram shows how an autotroph, like a plant, uses sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create its own food and release oxygen.

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Protozoa Noun

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[proh-tuh-zoh-uh]

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Protozoa

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A group of single-celled, animal-like protists that are heterotrophic and typically exhibit motility for hunting and movement.

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Example: This diagram shows the anatomy of a Paramecium, a single-celled protozoan, labeling key parts like the cilia for movement and the nucleus.

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Algae Noun

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[al-jee]

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Algae

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A diverse group of simple, plant-like protists that contain chloroplasts and perform photosynthesis to create their own food.

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Example: This image shows that algae are a diverse group of protists, displaying examples from the three main categories: red, brown, and green algae.

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Slime Mold Noun

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[slym mohld]

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Slime Mold

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A type of fungus-like protist that functions as a decomposer by consuming decaying organic matter in its environment.

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Example: This image shows the plasmodium stage of a slime mold, a single giant cell with many nuclei, forming a network to search for food.

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Phytoplankton Noun

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[fy-toh-plangk-tuhn]

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Phytoplankton

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Microscopic, drifting plant-like protists, primarily algae, that perform photosynthesis and form the base of aquatic food webs.

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Example: This image shows several different types of phytoplankton, which are microscopic plant-like protists, illustrating their diversity in shape and size.

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Cilia Noun

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[sil-ee-uh]

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Cilia

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Numerous short, hair-like appendages on a cell's surface that beat in coordinated waves for movement or feeding.

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Example: This diagram shows a Paramecium, a protist that uses many tiny hair-like structures called cilia on its outer surface for movement and feeding.

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Flagella Noun

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[fluh-jel-uh]

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Flagella

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Long, whip-like structures extending from a cell's surface, used primarily for locomotion through a fluid environment.

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Example: This diagram shows a flagellum, a long, whip-like tail that helps a protist move by spinning in a propeller-like motion.