(DIV) Kingdom Protista Lesson

Kingdom Protista Lesson

Protists and Fungi are eukaryotic organisms. The three categories protists are classified in are based on how they obtain their food. Animal-like protists get their food by eating other living things. Unlike animals, all animal-like protist are single-celled animals. Protozoans, paramecium and amoebas, are animal-like protists. Protozoans can consume algae and bacteria. They can live in water, soil, and in the bodies of animals.

Plant-like protists obtain their food just like plants through a process called photosynthesis. They use sunlight to convert carbon from their environment to sugars to use as energy. All plants are multicellular; whereas plant-like protist can be either unicellular or multicellular. Plant-like protists do not have roots, stems, or leaves. Algae, some seaweed, and volvox are plant-like protists. The majority of plant-like protists live in habitats such as lakes, streams, and oceans. They can also live in dry places such as deserts and tundras.

Funguslike protists and fungi are decomposers. They feed on dead organisms. Decomposers break down chemicals in the remains of dead organisms to obtain nutrients. Slime molds and water molds are examples of fungus like protists.

 

Kingdom Fungi

Mushrooms and mold that grow on bread are members of the Fungi Kingdom. Athletic foot and ringworms are two fungal diseases that affect humans. Some fungi are parasites, an organism that absorbs food from living things and harms them during the process. The Dutch elm disease is a fungal disease that has killed more than half of the elm trees in the northern United States. Fungi were once considered plants. They are immobile and many of them resemble plants growing in soil. Fungi are not autotrophs or have the capability of making their own food. They are decomposers. They release chemicals to break down matter so that it can be absorbed as food. They can live in soil, water, and air.

 

Watch the video below about protists and fungi:

 

 

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