Plant-Like Protists
Evolutionary Milestones
Protists are the first to be eukaryotes.
Habitat
Plant-like protists live in colonies. They live in aquatic environments.
Anatomical/Structural Features
Plant-like protists can be unicellular or multicellular.
Symmetry
Protists have no symmetry.
How They Acquire Nutrients
Plant-like protists are autotrophs, but euglenoids can be heterotrophic under certain conditions.
What They Eat
Plant-like protists use sunlight to make their own food.
What Eats Them
Plant-like protists produce food for most animals, since they are the beginning of many food chains. They also produce oxygen.
Mobility
Plant-like protists float in the water or attach to rocks so they do not move.
Reproduction
Plant-like protists reproduce asexually.
Development
Since plant-like protists reproduce asexually, they do not go through developmental stages. They are born genetically identical to their parent cell.
Examples
Some examples of plant-like protists include euglenoids, chrysophytes, diatoms, dinoflagellates, red algae, brown algae, and green algae.
Other Information
Plant-like protists produce 70% of the earth's oxygen.
Diatoms can be used in toothpaste, car polish, or reflective paint.
Dinoflagellates cause red tide, which irritates skin and causes respiratory issues if swam in.
Red algae is used in ice cream and hair conditioners and is eaten in Asia.
Brown algae is commonly called seaweed and is used as a food thickener.
Green algae is very closely related to green plants.
Protists are the first to be eukaryotes.
Habitat
Plant-like protists live in colonies. They live in aquatic environments.
Anatomical/Structural Features
Plant-like protists can be unicellular or multicellular.
Symmetry
Protists have no symmetry.
How They Acquire Nutrients
Plant-like protists are autotrophs, but euglenoids can be heterotrophic under certain conditions.
What They Eat
Plant-like protists use sunlight to make their own food.
What Eats Them
Plant-like protists produce food for most animals, since they are the beginning of many food chains. They also produce oxygen.
Mobility
Plant-like protists float in the water or attach to rocks so they do not move.
Reproduction
Plant-like protists reproduce asexually.
Development
Since plant-like protists reproduce asexually, they do not go through developmental stages. They are born genetically identical to their parent cell.
Examples
Some examples of plant-like protists include euglenoids, chrysophytes, diatoms, dinoflagellates, red algae, brown algae, and green algae.
Other Information
Plant-like protists produce 70% of the earth's oxygen.
Diatoms can be used in toothpaste, car polish, or reflective paint.
Dinoflagellates cause red tide, which irritates skin and causes respiratory issues if swam in.
Red algae is used in ice cream and hair conditioners and is eaten in Asia.
Brown algae is commonly called seaweed and is used as a food thickener.
Green algae is very closely related to green plants.