What are characteristics of Kingdom Protista?
Answers
Explanation:
For our purposes, there are only 4 groups of protozoa that will be covered here: these groups are separated by motility and cell structure.
Amebas (representative: Ameba proteus)
Flagellates (representative: Trypanosoma, Euglena)
Ciliates (representative: Paramecium)
Apicomplexa (representative: Plasmodium.........
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Characteristics of Kingdom Protista
The primary feature of all protists is that they are eukaryotic organisms. This means that they have a membrane-enclosed nucleus. Other characteristic features of Kingdom Protista are as follows:
These are usually aquatic, present in the soil or in areas with moisture.
Most protist species are unicellular organisms, however, there are a few multicellular protists such as kelp. Some species of kelp grow so large that they exceed over 100 feet in height. (Giant Kelp).
Just like any other eukaryotes, the cells of these species have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
They may be autotrophic or heterotrophic in nature. An autotrophic organism can create their own food and survive. A heterotrophic organism, on the other hand, has to derive nutrition from other organisms such as plants or animals to survive.
Symbiosis is observed in the members of this class. For instance, kelp (seaweed) is a multicellular protist that provides otters, protection from predators amidst its thick kelp. In turn, the otters eat sea urchins that tend to feed on kelp.
Parasitism is also observed in protists. Species such as Trypanosoma protozoa can cause sleeping sickness in humans.
Protists exhibit locomotion through cilia and flagella. A few organisms belonging to kingdom Protista have pseudopodia that help them to move.
Protista reproduces by asexual means. The sexual method of reproduction is extremely rare and occurs only during times of stress.