Protists and Fungi

• The protist kingdom is sometimes called the “junk drawer” kingdom because it is filled with organisms that don’t fit easily into other kingdoms.

• Even though some protists are unicellular and some are multi-cellular; and even though some are heterotrophs and some are autotrophs…

• All protists are eukaryotes– Eukaryotes are organisms whose

cells contain a nucleus.

Three Types of Protists• Because protists vary greatly, scientists

have proposed three ways of grouping protists.

• There are three different types– Animal-like protists– Plant-like protists– Fungus-like protists

Animal Like Protists• Like animals, animal-like

protists have structures that enable them to move around.

• And these organisms, like animals, are heterotrophs.

• Animal-like protists are called protozoans and they are unicellular, unlike animals.

Protozoans With Pseudopods• Pseudopods are

temporary bulges of the cell membrane.

• The cytoplasm flows into the bulge and the rest of the organism follows.

• Amebas are protozoans that use pseudopods to move.

Protozoans With Cilia • Cilia are hair like

projections from cells that move with a wavelike pattern.

• Cilia move organisms by acting like tiny oars.

• Paramecium are protozoans that use cilia to move around.

Other Protozoans• Some protozoans use

flagella for movement.• Other protozoans called

sporozoans are characterized by the way they live.

• Sporozoans are parasites.– Parasites are organisms who

live on or in another organism and harm that organism.

– Hosts are the organisms to which the parasites live.

Plantlike Protists• Most plantlike protists are called algae.• All algae are autotrophs.

Fungus-like Protists• Fungus-like protists are heterotrophs,

have cell walls, and use spores to reproduce.

• Spores are tiny cells that are able to grow into a new organism

Fungi Kingdom• Fungi Facts

– Use spores to reproduce– Eukaryotes– Heterotrophs– Need warm moist places

to grow– Multi-cellular fungi are

arranged in hyphae• Hyphae are branching,

threadlike tubes that make up the bodies of the fungi.

Food for Fungi

• Some fungi feed on the remains of dead organisms.– Ex: Mushrooms

• Other fungi are parasites that break down chemicals in living organisms.– Ex: Athletes foot fungus