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Chapter 20
Kingdom Protista
CHAPTER OUTLINE
Introduction to the protists
Evolution of the eukaryotes
A consensus is emerging in eukaryote classification
Representative protists
Most euglenoids are freshwater unicellular flagellates
Most dinoflagellates are a part of marine plankton
Plants and the Environment: Sudden Oak Death
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
1. Briefly describe the features common to the members of the kingdom Protista.
2. Discuss in general terms the diversity in the protist kingdom, including means of
LECTURE OUTLINE
I. How can we describe the kingdom Protista?
A. Why is the kingdom Protista not a natural grouping of organisms?
II. What are some representative protists?
A. What are the characteristics of euglenoids (phylum Euglenophyta)?
1. What pigments are found in this group?
2. What other groups have the same set of pigments?
B. What are the characteristics of dinoflagellates (phylum Dinophyta)?
1. What is unique about the placement of the two flagella?
D. What are the characteristics of diatoms (phylum Bacillariophyta)?
1. What chemical is found in the shells of diatoms that impart the characteristic patterns
used in their classification?
2. What is unique about cell division in diatoms? What triggers sexual reproduction?
3. Describe the ecological importance of diatoms as producers in marine ecosystems.
E. What are the characteristics of the golden algae (phylum Chrysophyta)?
F. What are the characteristics of the brown algae (phylum Phaeophyta)?
1. What pigments are found in this group? How do brown algae store their energy
reserves?
H. What are the characteristics of the green algae (phylum Chlorophyta)?
1. Describe some of the variation in body form found in this group.
2. What pigments are found in the green algae?
3. How do they store their energy reserves?
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4. What characteristics do green algae have in common with plants? To what conclusion
does this lead us?
5. What are the three types of sexual reproduction involving gametes?
KEY TERMS
anisogamy, p. 396
brown algae, p. 393
gametangium, p. 395
green algae, p. 394
plasmodium, p. 398
pseudoplasmodium, p. 400
TEACHING TIPS
1. Watch the news for reports of red tides. Discuss in class the geographical distribution, the
seasonal distribution, and the economic impact of red tides.
2. Hay infusions are good sources of protists for labs. They need to be about a week old to
have a good selection of organisms for viewing. If you have hay infusions of several
3. The endosymbiotic theory may fascinate students with the idea of each of them being a
“colony” of symbiotic cells. On the other hand, many students think this is too far-fetched
p. 419.)
4. Collect algae from freshwater streams and ponds. Spirogyra is a common green alga with
beautiful chloroplasts. Diatoms are often found in sluggish water such as ponds and