Chapter7:

THE KINGDOM PROTISTA

(OR PROTOCTISTA)
Q.1 What is kingdom Protista? Why are protists so difficult to classify.
Ans: KINGDOM PROTISTA (PROTOCTISTA)
 The kingdom which consists of primarily aquatic and eukaryotic organisms is called kingdom
Protista.
 They are difficult to classify because of diverse;
 Body forms
 Types of reproduction
 Mode of nutrition
 Life styles
Q.2 How is kingdom Protista defined? Basically the Protista is defined by Exclusion. How. On what
principal protists are grouped together of defined?
Ans:
 Basically this kingdom is defined by the principal of exclusion. It means that Protista contains;
All members have characteristics that exclude them from the other four kingdoms.
Q.3 What are the reasons for grouping simple eukaryotic organisms into a separate kingdom Protista?
Or why it is difficult to place certain eukaryotic organisms in appropriate Kingdom? Write two
reasons for creating separate kingdom.
Ans.
1. All protists are eukaryotic and have evolved from prokaryotes.
2. Certain eukaryotic organisms are difficult to place in an appropriate kingdom because other
eukaryotic Kingdoms have originated from the Kingdom Protista.
3. Other kingdoms arose from protists in different ways such as Kingdom Plantae, Fungi, and
Animalia.
Q.4 Discuss the important features of protists. How protists are different from other eukaryotes?
Ans: CHARACTERISTICS
1. All protists are eukaryotic and have evolved from prokaryotes.
2. The protists are unicellular, colonial or simple multicellular organisms with eukaryotic cells.
3. Protists do not develop from a blastula or an embryo Unlike other eukaryote such as plants and
animals.
Q.5 Enlist 4 major groups of kingdom Protista.
Ans.
1. Single celled protozoans
2. Unicellular algae
3. Multicellular algae
4. Slime mold and oomycotes

Q.6 Give historical perspective of Kingdom Protista (Protoctista). What is the contribution of John
Hogg, Ernst Haeckel and Herbert Copeland.
Ans: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
1. John Hogg:
 In 1861, he proposed the Kingdom Protoctista for microscopic organisms.
2. Ernst Haeckel:
 In 1866, he proposed the kingdom Protista to include bacteria and other microorganisms (such
as Euglena) that did not fit into plant or animal kingdom.
  But he separated blue green algae and bacteria (prokaryotes) from nucleated Protists and
placed them in a separate group called Monera within the kingdom Protista.
3. Herbert Copeland:
 In 1938, Herbert Copeland elevated the prokaryotes to kingdom status.
Q.7 Discuss diversity among Protista. In which features the organisms have evolved diversity in
Protists? What are the basis of diversity in protists.
Ans. Diversity among Protista
 During evolutionary history, the protists showed diversity in their:
i. Size and structure
ii. Means of locomotion
iii. Ways of obtaining nutrients
iv. Interactions with other organism
v. Habitat
vi. Mode of reproduction

Q.8 What is polyphyletic group of organism? Why most biologists regard protists as polyphyletic group
of organisms?
Ans: POLYPHYLETIC GROUP
i. The group in which the organisms do not share a single common ancestor is called polyphyletic
group.
ii. On the basis of diversity among organisms of Protista , most biologists regard the protists
kingdom as a polyphyletic group of organisms.
Q.9 What is the contribution of Margulis and Schwartz for Protista.
Ans:
They have listed 27 phyla to accommodate organisms of Protista.

Protozoa, Amoeba and zoo-flagellates

Q.10 Write two characteristic of Protozoa.

Ans: Characteristics
i. Unicellular: All protozoans are unicellular.
ii. Nutrition: Most protozoans ingest their food by endocytosis.

Q.1 What do you know about amoebae? Give their form, mode of locomotion and examples of
amoebas.

Ans. Amoebae are unicellular protozoans that move by pseudopodia.

Sr. Common name Form Locomotion Examples
Amoebas Unicellular Pseudopodia Amoeba, Ent-amoeba
No definite shape

Q.2 Name parasitic amoeba? What disease it causes? What is amoebic dysentery?
Ans.
i. Parasitic amoeba is called Entamoeba histolytica. It is an intestinal parasite of humans.
ii. It causes amoebic dysentery in human.
iii. Amoebic dysentery is a disease in humans caused by Entamoeba histolytica. It is intestinal
parasites.

Q.3 What is pseudopodia? What is their function? How amoebae move?

Ans. Pseudopodia:
  They are specialized cytoplasmic projection called pseudopodia (False feet).
 Amoebas move with the help of pseudopodia.

Q.4 What do you know about giant amoeba? Write its scientific name and three characters. Give the
structure and mode of life of pelomyxa palustris. Why it is considered the most primitive of all
eukaryotes. From where do giant amoeba get energy?
Ans.
1. Structure and Name of most Primitive Eukaryotes:
 The giant amoeba is called Pelomyxa Palustris.
 It is the most primitive eukaryote because it has multiple membrane nuclei but no other
membrane bound organelles.
2. Energy Source:
 The giant amoeba obtain energy from methanogenic bacteria present in them.
3. Habitat:
 It is present in mud at the bottom of fresh water ponds and degrade the organic
molecules.

Q.5 What are Zoo-flagellates? Give their form, mode of locomotion and examples. Give two
characteristics of Zoo-flagellates and two examples.

Ans. Zoo-flagellates are protozoans that move by flagella and have following characteristics.
Sr. Common Form and structure Locomotion Examples
name
Zoo-flagellates Unicellular, some colonial, One or more long Trypanosome,
body is spherical or elongated whip-like flagella Euglena
with single central nucleus.

Q.6 How flagellates or zoo-flagellates get their food?

Ans.
Flagellates obtain their food;
 By ingesting living or dead organisms.
 By absorbing dead and decomposing organic material?

Q.7 What are symbiotic Zoo-flagellates? Give one example? What are trichonymphas? Give their
importance. Name one zoo-flagellate that live as symbiont.
Ans.
1. Symbiotic Zoo-flagellates are called trichonymphas.
2. They are complex and specialized flagellates having many flagella.
3. They live as symbionts in the gut of termites.
4. They help in the digestion of dry wood for termites.

Q.8 What are parasitic zoo-flagellates? What do you know about Trypanosoma? What is the role of
Tsetse fly in the transmission of a specific disease and mention the name of disease. What is
African sleeping sickness? Name one parasitic zoo-flagellate that can cause disease. What is
disease causing role of zoo-flagellates? Define disease African Sleeping Sickness
Ans.
 Trypanosoma is a human parasite and parasitic flagellates (zoo-flagellate).
 It causes a disease called African Sleeping Sickness.
 Trypanosoma (African Sleeping Sickness disease) is transmitted by the bite of infected Tsetse fly.
Q.9 What are choano-flagellates? Why the have special interest? How they are related to sponges. To
which cells of sponges they resemble? What is the evolutionary significance of choano-flagellates.
Ans. Choano-flagellates:
1. They are sessile flagellates (zoo-flagellates) present in marine or fresh water.
2. They are attached to the substratum by means of a stalk. They have single flagellum which is
surrounded by a delicate collar.
3. They are of special evolutionary interest because they have striking resemblance to collar cells in
sponges.

CILIATES
Q.1 What are ciliates? Give their form, mode of locomotion and three examples.

Ans. Ciliates are protozoans that move with the help of cilia.
Sr. Common name Form and structure Locomotion Examples
Ciliates Unicellular Cilia Paramecium
Vorticella
Stentor

Q.2 What is pellicle? What is their significance? To which group it belongs?

Ans.
 It is a flexible outer covering of ciliates.
 It gives definite but changeable shape.

Q.3 What are cilia? What is their function?

Ans.
1. Cilia are fine, hair-like structures around the body of ciliates such as paramecium.
2. Motile ciliates move with the help of cilia and can go forward, backward and can turn around.

Q.4 What are contractile vacuoles? What is their function? How water regulation occurs in ciliates?
Ans. Contractile vacuoles
1. They are specialized organelles of ciliates.
2. Water regulation in freshwater ciliates is controlled by contractile vacuoles.

Q.5 How do ciliates differ from other protozoan? What are the functions of micronucleus and
macronucleus in ciliates? Differentiate between micronuclei and macronuclei.
Ans. Ciliates differ from other protozoans because ciliates have two kinds of nuclei.
i. Micronuclei
ii. Macronucleus
Micronuclei Macronuclei
1. These are small and diploid nuclei which are 1. It is large and polyploid nucleus which is
one or more in number. only one in number.
2. It control a sexual process called conjugation. 2. They control cell metabolism and growth.

Q.6 What is conjugation in ciliates? Discuss reproduction in ciliates?

Ans. Conjugation: ciliates reproduce by the process of conjugation.
 It is sexual process in ciliates.
 During conjugation two individuals come close together and exchange their genetic material.
 Foraminiferans and Actinopods
Q.1 What are Foraminiferans and Actinopods? Give their form, mode of locomotion and examples.

Ans. They are marine protozoans that produce shells or tests and move by pseudopodia.
Sr. Common name Form and structure Locomotion Examples
1. Foraminifera Unicellular Pseudopods Forams
2. Actinopods Unicellular Pseudopods Radiolarians with glassy
shells

Q.2 Write chemical composition of tests or shells of Foraminiferans and Actinopods? Differentiate
between Foraminiferans and Actinopods. How they get their food? Give two features of shell of
Foraminiferans and Actinopods.
Ans.
 The shell of Foraminiferans is made of calcium and shell of Actinopods is made of silica.
 These shells contain pores from which cytoplasmic projections are extended.
 These cytoplasmic projections form sticky and interconnected net which hold the prey.

Q.3 What is chalk and limestone deposits? How chalk or limestone deposits are formed? What is the
importance of foraminifera? What are limestone deposits? How Foraminiferans are the source of
calcium Carbonate.
Ans.
1. Chalk
 It is soft and white form of limestone (CaCO3).
2. Limestone deposits
 These are the deposits of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). 
3. Formation
 Dead Foraminiferans sink to the bottom of ocean.
 The shells form a grey mud which is transformed into chalk.
 Foraminiferans of the past have created vast limestone deposits.

Apicomplexans
Q.1 What are apicomplexan? Give their form, mode of locomotion and examples. How they move?

Ans. They are parasitic protozoa which cause serious diseases in human such as malaria.
Sr. Common name Form and structure Locomotion Examples

Apicomplexans Unicellular They move by Plasmodium

flexing

Q.2 Write a note on disease causing Plasmodium. Write example of a parasitic Apicomplexan. Give
symptoms of malaria.
Ans. Plasmodium an apicomplexan that causes malaria.
1. Sporozoites of plasmodium enters in human blood, in liver cells and red blood cells by the bite
of female Anopheles mosquitos
2. In red blood cells it multiplies and red blood bursts releasing new parasites called merozoites.
 3. Red blood cells burst and new merozoites (parasites) are released which enters into new red
blood cells many times.
4. Bursting of millions of red blood cell produce toxic substances which causes symptoms of
malaria;
i. Chill ii. High fever

Q.3 Differentiate between Sporozoites and merozoites.

Ans.
 Sporozoite is a form of plasmodium which is formed in female Anopheles mosquitos and enters
into humane blood.
 Merozoite is a form of plasmodium which is formed in liver cells and red blood cells of humans.

Q.4 Differentiate between pseudopodia and flagella.

Ans.

Pseudopodia Flagella
1. They are specialized cytoplasmic projection 1. They long, flexible and whip-like structures
called pseudopodia (False feet). called flagella.
2. Amoebas move with the help of pseudopodia. 2. Paramecium moves with the help of flagella.

THE ALGAE: PLANT LIKE PROTISTS

Q.1 What are algae? Write three characters of algae. What types of photosynthetic pigments are found
in algae? What is the importance of these pigments in classification?
Ans. Algae are photosynthetic protists.
 Sex organs are unicellular and zygote is not protected by parent body.
 They are unicellular, filaments and multicellular.
 They have photosynthetic pigments like plants . Classification is based on these photosynthetic
pigments.
1. Green chlorophyll a
2. Yellow and orange carotenoids
3. Xanthophyll and phycoerythrin

Q.2 Differentiate between Algae and plants. How algae differ from plants as for as sex organ and zygote
is concerned?

Ans. Differentiate between Algae and plants

Algae Plants
1. Sex organs are unicellular. 1. Sex organs are multicellular.
2. Zygote is not protected by parent body. 2. Zygote is protected by parent body.
3. Zygote is not changed into multicellular embryo. 3. Zygote is changed into multicellular embryo

Q.3 Differentiate between Algae and fungi.

Algae Fungi
1. Alae are photosynthetic. 1. Fungi are absorptive heterotroph.
2. Cell is composed of cellulose. 2. Cell wall is composed of chitin.

Q.4 Discuss briefly the vegetative growth forms in algae.

Ans.
1. Unicellular
2. Filaments
i. Some Filaments are composed of distinct cells.
ii. Some filaments are called coenocyte which are multinucleate and without cross wall.
3. Multicellular which are branched or leaf-like

Q.5 What is thallus? Name four phyla of algae. Name 4 plant like protists.

Ans. Thallus
 A body which is not divided into true root, true stem and true leaf and without xylem and phloem.
 It is a feature of algae.
 4 phyla of algae chlrophyta, Phaeophyta, rhodophyta, pyrrophta

Q.6 What is the habitat of algae?

Ans. Habitat
1. Almost all algae are aquatic.
2. They are present in damp and wet environment such as;
i. Oceans, freshwater ponds, lacks, streams, hot springs
ii. Polar ice, moist soil, trees and rocks

THE EUGLENOIDS
Q.1 What are Euglenoids? Write down the name of phylum, form, pigments and example of
Euglenoids.

Ans. Euglenoids: These are unicellular algae which are mostly autotrophic.
Phylum Common name Form Locomotion Pigments Examples
Euglenophyta Euglenoids Unicellular Two flagella Chl. a Euglena
One long Chl. b
One short Carotenoids

Q.2 Why Euglenoids are placed with algae and Protozoans? Give reasons. Give the classification of
Euglenoids. Why Euglenoids have special evolutionary significance? Why euglena is difficult to
classify?
Ans. Euglenoids have special evolutionary significance because they resemble plants and animals.
1. Similar photosynthetic pigments
 Euglenoids resemble with algae and plants because both have similar pigments such as chlo. a
and chlo. b.
2. Based on molecular data
 Euglenoids are also related to zoo-flagellates based on molecular data and absence of cell wall.

Q.3 Justify that Euglenoids are close to Zoo-flagellates.

Ans.
i. Based on molecule data, Euglenoids are closely related to zoo-flagellates.
ii. Both lacks cell wall.

DINOFLAGELLATES
Q.1 What are dinoflagellate? Write down the name of phylum, form, pigments of dinoflagellates. Write
two characters and give two examples of it.

Ans. They are most unusual group of unicellular algae whose shell are composed of
interlocking cellulose plates filled with silicates.
Phylum Common name Form Locomotion Pigments Examples
Pyrrophyta Dinoflagellate Unicellular Two flagella Chl. a Gonyaulax
Chl. c Ceratium
Carotenes
Fucoxanthin

Q.2 What is the Ecological importance of dinoflagellates?

Ans. Ecological importance
i. They are most important producers in marine ecosystem.
ii. They are second to diatoms as producers.

Q.3 What are the red tides? How they are formed?
Ans.
i. Sometimes Dinoflagellates show population explosion or bloom.
ii. These blooms give orange, red or brown colour to marine water and so called red tides.

Diatoms (chrysophyta)
Q.1 what are diatoms. Write down the name of phylum, form, pigments and two examples of diatoms.
Write features of chrysophyta.

Ans. Diatoms or chrysophyta are unicellular algae whose cell wall consists of two shells fit
together like petri dish.

Phylum Common name Form Locomotion Pigments Examples

Chrysophyta Diatom Unicellular Usually none Chl. a Diatoma
Chl. c Frequilaria
Carotenes Pinnularia
Fucoxanthin

Q.2 Discuss their structure. Give its ecological importance.

Ans.
1. Structure of diatoms
 Cell wall consists of two shells which overlap and fit together like a petri dish.
 Silica is a glasslike material deposited in the shell in different patterns.
2. Ecological importance
i. Major producers
 Diatoms are major producers of aquatic marine and freshwater ecosystem because of very
large in number.
ii. Aquatic food chain
 They are important in aquatic food chains
 Brown algae (phaeophyta)
Q.1 What are brown algae? Write down the name of phylum, form, pigments and two examples of
brown algae.

Ans. Brown algae or phaeophyta is a group of algae which includes the giants of the kingdom Protista .

Phylum Common name Form Locomotion Pigments Examples

Phaeophyta Brown algae Multicellular Two flagella are Chl. a Focus

present on Chl. c Macrocystis
reproductive cells
Carotenes
Fucoxanthin

Q.2 Write the name of largest brown algae and its size. What are kelps? Write their different parts and
maximum size. To which group it belongs. Write the name of the largest brown algae and its size.
Brown algae includes the giants of protists. Why?
Ans. Brown algae includes the giants of protists because they are very large size such as;
1. Kelps
 Kelps are the largest brown algae which are 75 meters in length.
 They belong to phylum called Phaeophyta (brown algae).
2. Parts of kelps
 Blades. Leaf-like
 Stipes. Stem like
 Holdfast. Root like and anchoring in function.

Q.3 Where the brown algae are common?

Ans. Brown algae are common
 In cooler marine waters
 Along rocky coastline in intertidal zone.

Q.4 Why large Kelps are considered as protists?

Ans.
 Kelps are considered protists because their body is thallus which is not divided into true root,
true stem and true leaf and without xylem and phloem.
 They do not develop from embryo.

Red algae (rhodophyta)

Q.1 What are red algae? Write down the name of phylum, form, pigments and two examples of red
algae. Give any 4 characters of red algae.
Ans.
Red algae or Rhodophyta are group of algae that have red pigment called phycoerythrin.

Phylum Common name Form Locomotion Pigments Examples

Rhodophyta Red algae Multicellular None Chl. a Chondrus

Unicellular Carotenes Polysiphonia
 phycoerythrin

Q.2 Write the structure of red algae. How they take part in the formation of coral reefs.
Ans.
1. Structure of red algae
 They have multicellular body which is composed of;
i. Interwoven filaments which are delicate and feathery.
ii. Flattened sheets of cells
2. Formation of coral reefs.
 They incorporate calcium carbonate in their cell walls.
 Dead red algae make coral reefs along with coral animals.

Green algae (Chlorophyta)

Q.1 Write down the phylum, form, pigments and examples of chlorophyte (green algae). Give two
examples of unicellular green algae, one example of colonial, two examples of filamentous and
one example of sheet-like body forms of green algae.
Ans. Chlorophyte contains green algae

Phylum Common name Form Locomotion Pigments Examples

Chlorophyta Green algae Multicellular Most have flagella Chl. a Chlorella (u)
Unicellular Chl. b Acetabularia (u)
Colonial Carotenes Ulva (m)
Spirogyra (f)
Desmids (f)
Volvox (c)

Q.2 Give four characteristics of green algae similar to plants. Why green algae are considered an
ancestor of plants. What kinds of chlorophylls are found in plants and green algae?
Ans. Because of following similarities it is accepted that plants arose from ancestral green algae.
1. Same photosynthetic pigments:
 both have chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids in the chloroplast.
2. Same energy reserve products:
 both have starch as main energy reserves .
3. Cellulose in Cell Wall:
 Both have cellulose in their cell walls.
4. Similarity in RNA sequencing

Q.3 What is chlorella and what is its importance. What is its habitat?
Ans.
1. Chlorella:
 Chlorella is unicellular and non-motile green alga.
2. Importance
i. Research Value:
 An experimental organism to study photosynthesis.
ii. Alternate Source of Food:
  It can be an alternate source of food.
3. Habitat:
 Fresh water ponds and ditches.

Importance of algae
Q.1 What is the importance of Algae? What is their importance of algae? What is the commercial
importance of Marine algae? Name the substances obtained from marine algae. Give the
importance of two algae. Mention by names.
ANS:
 IMPORTANCE OF ALGAE
1. Source of food (Edible Algae)
 kelps are edible and can be used to overcome shortage of food.
 Chlorella can also be used as alternative source of food.
2. Source of Substance
 Marine algae are source of many useful substances e.g.
 Algin
 agar
 carrageenan
 antiseptics.
3. Major Producers of the aquatic ecosystems
4. Source of Oxygen and food and basic role in food chains
 They play a basic role in food chains by providing food and oxygen for other organisms.

FUNGUS LIKE PROTISTS

Q.1 Give similarities and differences between fungi like protists and fungi. Why fungus like protists are
not fungi?
ANS:
 Resemblances between fungus-like protists and fungi
i. Both are non-photosynthetic.
ii. Their bodies are formed of thread like structures called hyphae.
 Differences between fungus-like protists and fungi
Fungus- like protists Fungi
1. Cell wall is composed of cellulose. 1. Cell wall is composed of chitin.
2. They have centrioles. 2. They do not have centrioles.

Slime mold (Myxomycota)

Q.1 Differentiate between slime mold and fungi. Why slime molds are included in kingdom ptotista?
Ans. Differentiate between slime mold and fungi

Slime mold (Myxomycota) Fungi

1. Cell wall is composed of cellulose. 1. Cell wall is composed of chitin.
2. They have centrioles. 2. They do not have centrioles.

Q.2 Give the structure of slime mold. What is plasmodium? Write two characters of slime molds.
Ans. Structure of plasmodium:
 The feeding stage of a slime mold is called plasmodium.
 Plasmodium is a multinucleate mass of cytoplasm.
 It can grow upto 30 cm (1 ft.) in diameter.
  The plasmodium is slimy in appearance and forms a network of channels over a large surface area
of the ground.

Q.3 Discuss briefly mode of nutrition in slime mold.

Ans.
1. The plasmodium which is slimy in appearance and streams over damp, decaying logs and leaf
litter.
2. It often forms network of channels over a large surface area of the ground.
3. During creeping, it ingests bacteria, yeasts, spores and decaying organic matter.

Q.4 How slime molds reproduces? What adaptations slime molds develop during unfavorable
conditions?
Ans.
1. Spores in Sporangia:
 During unfavorable conditions, slime mold forms resistant haploid spores by meiosis.
 These spores are formed within stalked structures called sporangia.
2. Germination of Spore:
 At favorable conditions, these spores germinate into biflagellated cells or amoeboid
reproductive cells or swarm cells.
3. Zygote and plasmodium Formation:
 These reproductive cells unite to form diploid zygote.
 The zygote produces multinucleate plasmodium. Each nucleus is diploid.

Q.5 What is Physarum polycephalum? What is its significance? Give scientific name of plasmodial slime
mold. Give its significance. What is the importance of slime molds? Why Physarum polycephalum
is a model organism for research?
Ans. Physarum polycephalum (model organism):
 Physarum polycephalum is a plasmodial slime mold.
 It is a model organism to study many fundamental biological processes such as
 Growth and differentiation
 Cytoplasmic streaming
 Function of cytoskeleton

Water molds (oomycotes)

Q.1 Differentiate between slime mold and fungi.
Ans. Differentiate between water mold and fungi

Water mold (oomycota) Fungi

1. They are more ancient group than fungi. 1. They are less ancient than water mold.
2. Cell wall is composed of cellulose. 2. Cell wall is composed of chitin.
3. They have centrioles. 3. They lack centrioles.

Q.2 What are water molds? Give the structure of oomycetes.

ANS: Water molds
1. Definition
 They are fungus like protists of phylum Oomycota.
2. Structure
 Their hyphae are aseptate, without cross wall and multinucleate.
 Their cell walls contain cellulose not chitin.
Q.3 Why Phytophthora infestans famous for in human history? What is the name of casual organism
of Irish potato. What is name of potato disease caused by Phytophthora infestans. What was the
reason for migration out of Ireland? What is the economic importance of oomycetes?
Ans. Phytophthora infestans
 Phytophthora infestans is a pathogenic oomycotes which was the cause of Irish potato famine of
the 19th century.
 It causes a disease called late blight of potatoes.
 Because of several rainy and cool summers in Ireland in 1840s, the water mold multiplied and
potato tubers destroyed in the field.
 Potatoes were the staple food of the Irish peasant, many people starved to death ( 250,000 to
more than 1 million).
 The famine was the cause of mass migration out of Ireland to United States.
Q.4 Differentiate between slime mold and water mold.
Ans. Differentiate between water mold and fungi

Slime mold Water mold

1. Body is called plasmodium which is a 1. The body is called mycelium which is
multinucleate mass of cytoplasm. composed of aseptate hyphae.
2. They are present on damp and decaying logs 2. They attach potato plants and cause disease
and leaf litter. called late blight of potatoes.