Understanding Protists

The video explains the division of organisms into prokaryotes and eukaryotes, focusing on protists, a diverse group of eukaryotes. Protists are found globally and play crucial roles in ecosystems, health, and evolution. They contribute significantly to photosynthesis and oxygen production, and their interactions with other organisms can be both beneficial and harmful. Understanding protists is vital for insights into environmental health and the evolution of multicellularity.

What are the two main categories into which all organisms on Earth can be divided?

• Fungi and Protists

• Animals and Plants

• Bacteria and Viruses

• Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of most protists?

• They can be as small as bacteria.

• They all reproduce sexually.

• Some are autotrophic.

• They are mostly unicellular.

Why is it surprising that we know so little about protists?

• They are the most complex organisms.

• They were the first microorganisms identified under a microscope.

• They are only found in remote areas.

• They are not important to ecosystems.

Which protist is responsible for causing malaria?

• Amoeba

• Choanoflagellates

• Plasmodium

• Kelp

How do some bacteria survive inside free-living amoeba?

• By reproducing rapidly

• By forming a protective shell

• By hiding in the amoeba's nucleus

• By developing resistance to digestion

What is the estimated contribution of protists to the world's oxygen production?

• 10%

• 25%

• 75%

• 50%

Which protists are believed to be the closest living relatives of animals?

• Amoeba

• Plasmodium

• Choanoflagellates

• Kelp

Why are protists important in understanding the evolution of multicellularity?

• They are the simplest organisms.

• They have complex organ systems.

• They are the largest organisms.

• They provide insights into early animal relatives.

What role do protists play in marine environments?

• They are top predators.

• They decompose organic matter.

• They contribute to the photosynthesis cycle.

• They are primary consumers.

Why should we care about protists in scientific research?

• They are irrelevant to modern science.

• They are the largest organisms on Earth.

• They play crucial roles in health, environment, and evolution.

• They are only found in specific regions.