Protozoans can reproduce either sexually or asexually

Reproduction of Protozoans

- Plasmalemma
- Pellicle
- Ectoplasm
- Endoplasm
- Cytostome
- Cytoproct
- Flagella
- Cilia
- Contractile Vacuoles

Structures of Protozoan Cells

A trophozoite is the active feeding and growth stage of a protozoan's life cycle, during which it feeds on small food particles like bacteria.

Trophozoite

Holozoic protozoans are heterotrophic organisms that ingest whole food particles through phagocytosis.

Holozoic Protozoans

Saprozoic protozoans are heterotrophic organisms that ingest small, soluble food molecules from their environment.

Saprozoic Protozoans

Many protists move through their environment using whip-like flagella, hair-like cilia made of microtubules, or cytoplasmic extensions called pseudopodia.

Locomotion of Protists

Protozoans are nonphotosynthetic, motile, unicellular eukaryotic organisms that inhabit diverse aquatic and terrestrial environments. While many live independently as free-living organisms, others are parasitic pathogens that cause disease in hosts, or beneficial symbionts that assist their hosts with metabolic functions.

Google

Historically, protists have been informally categorized into three distinct groups based on their characteristics: the animal-like protozoans, the plant-like algae, and the fungus-like protists (such as water molds).

Groups of Protists

https://openstax.org/details/books/microbiology/

Microbiology covers the scope and sequence requirements for a single-semester microbiology course for non-majors. The book presents the core concepts of microbiology with a focus on applications for careers in allied health. The pedagogical features of the text make the material interesting and accessible while maintaining the career-application focus and scientific rigor inherent in the subject matter. Microbiology’s art program enhances students’ understanding of concepts through clear and effective illustrations, diagrams, and photographs.

Microbiology is produced through a collaborative publishing agreement between OpenStax and the American Society for Microbiology Press. The book aligns with the curriculum guidelines of the American Society for Microbiology.

OpenStax Microbiology Textbook

"Animal-Like" Protozoans

Algae are autotrophic protists, existing as either unicellular or multicellular organisms, that play a key ecological role by producing approximately 70% of the oxygen and organic matter in aquatic environments.

"Plant-Like" Algae

Lichens are symbiotic associations between a fungus and a photosynthetic partner, which can be either an alga or a cyanobacterium. They are characteristically slow-growing organisms that can survive for centuries in a variety of habitats.

Learn Before

Related

Learn After