Protists

Front

Protist Noun

---

[proh-tist]

Back

Protist

---

A diverse group of eukaryotic organisms that are not classified as animals, plants, or fungi, and are mostly unicellular.

---

Example: This diagram shows an amoeba, a single-celled protist, labeling its key parts like the nucleus and pseudopods used for movement and eating.

Front

Eukaryote Noun

---

[yoo-kar-ee-oht]

Back

Eukaryote

---

An organism whose cells contain a nucleus and other organelles enclosed within membranes, distinguishing them from prokaryotes.

---

Example: This diagram shows that Eukarya (organisms with complex cells) includes four main kingdoms: protists (Protoctista), fungi, plants (Plantae), and animals (Animalia).

Front

Asexual reproduction Noun

---

[ey-sek-shoo-uhl ree-pruh-duhk-shuhn]

Back

Asexual reproduction

---

A mode of reproduction where a single parent produces offspring that are genetically identical to itself, often through mitosis.

---

Example: This diagram shows how a single parent cell, like a protist, divides through mitosis to create two genetically identical daughter cells.

Front

Sexual reproduction Noun

---

[sek-shoo-uhl ree-pruh-duhk-shuhn]

Back

Sexual reproduction

---

A reproductive process involving two parents that combine their genetic material to produce a new, genetically unique organism.

---

Example: This diagram shows how sexual reproduction involves a cycle where a diploid (2n) cell undergoes meiosis to create haploid (n) cells, which then undergo fertilization.

Front

Endosymbiosis Noun

---

[en-doh-sim-bee-oh-sis]

Back

Endosymbiosis

---

The theory that eukaryotes evolved from a symbiotic relationship where one prokaryotic cell was engulfed by and lived inside another.

---

Example: This diagram shows how an ancient host cell engulfed smaller bacteria, which over time became the mitochondria and chloroplasts inside modern cells like protists.

Front

Double membrane Noun

---

[duhb-uhl mem-breyn]

Back

Double membrane

---

A key feature of mitochondria and chloroplasts, consisting of two lipid bilayers, which supports the theory of endosymbiosis.

---

Example: This diagram shows a mitochondrion, an organelle found in protists, which has two distinct membranes: an outer membrane and a folded inner membrane.

Front

Autotroph Noun

---

[aw-toh-trohf]

Back

Autotroph

---

An organism that can produce its own food from inorganic substances, usually through photosynthesis using light energy.

---

Example: An autotroph, like this plant, uses sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create its own food through photosynthesis, releasing oxygen as a byproduct.

Front

Heterotroph Noun

---

[het-er-uh-trohf]

Back

Heterotroph

---

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

---

Example: This image shows different types of animal heterotrophs, such as carnivores, herbivores, and decomposers, which get energy by eating other organisms.

Front

Cilia Noun

---

[sil-ee-uh]

Back

Cilia

---

Short, hair-like projections on the surface of some cells that are used for movement and for sweeping food particles.

---

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

Front

Pseudopod Noun

---

[soo-doh-pod]

Back

Pseudopod

---

Temporary cytoplasmic projections of a cell's surface, used for movement and engulfing food, meaning 'false feet'.

---

Example: This image shows a single-celled protist (an amoeba) extending temporary, finger-like projections of its cytoplasm, which are the pseudopods used for moving and eating.