The animal-like protists are commonly known as
protozoans. They are believed to be the
descendants from the forms of life that gave rise to
multicellular organisms.
This group includes unicellular organisms.
Although, not subdivided into cells, the protozoans
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are able to carry all life processes within the cell.
They are mostly microscopic, although some are
large enough to be seen with the unaided eye. All
types of symmetries are represented in the group.
The protozoans are also diverse in terms of mode
of nutrition (autotrophic, heterotrophic, and
saprozoic) and mode of existence (free living,
parasitic, symbiotic, and commensal).
Some are capable of locomotion by
pseudopodia, flagella, or cilia. Others are sessile.
Reproduction is asexual by fission, budding, or
THE ANIMAL- cysts and sexual by conjugation.
LIKE Objectives
PROTISTS The students should be able to:
1. identify protozoan representatives.
2. describe the structure of the organelles and their
functions.
Classification
Phylum Sarcomastigophora: Members of the
phylum may have flagella, pseudopodia or both.
They normally have a simple type of nucleus.
Subphylum Mastigophora: One or more
flagella may be present. They may be
autotrophic, heterotrophic or both. They
reproduce by fission.
Class Phytomastigophora: The plantlike
flagellates. The cell contains
chromoplasts.
ex : Euglena, Ceratium, Volvox
Class Zoomastigophora: Flagellates
without chromoplasts, hence, they are
heterotrophic.
ex : Trypanosoma, Giardia
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Subphylum Sarcodina: The group includes the amoeboids. Flagella may be
present occasionally during development.
Class Lobosea: This includes amoeboids with lobe-shaped pseudopodia.
ex. Amoeba, Entamoeba
Class Granuloreticulosea: Amoeboids with reticulated pseudopodia.
ex. foraminiferans, radiolarians (axopodia).
Phylum Apicomplexa: Members of the group are all parasites. They have apical
complex used for penetrating the host cells. They lack cilia and flagella,
except in certain reproductive stage.
Class Sporozoa: Members include the most important apicomplexans.
They are intracellular parasites and form spores or oocysts following
sexual reproduction. The life cycle involves both vertebrate and
invertebrate hosts.
ex : Plasmodium, Babesia
Phylum Ciliophora: This is the largest and most diverse group of protozoans.
Members of the group possess cilia, micronuclei and macronuclei. Reproduction
may be asexual by fission or sexual by conjugation.
ex: Paramecium, Vorticella
Materials
compound light microscope
prepared slides of:
Euglena Ceratium Trypanosoma Amoeba
foraminiferans radiolarians Plasmodium Paramecium
Vorticella
Procedure
Obtain the prepared slide of the following protozoans and study the morphology.
Focus under LPO and then HPO.
Morphology of Selected Protozoans:
1. Euglena. These are found in freshwater streams and ponds. Notice that the
organism is spindle-shaped: pointed at the posterior and blunt at the anterior
end. Beneath the outer membrane is the pellicle. A long, whiplike flagellum
extends from a large spherical vesicle, the reservoir and another short
flagellum ends within the reservoir. The flagella are not easily seen in the
specimen. Within the cytoplasm are several minute contractile vacuoles that,
in life, discharge their contents into the reservoir. Closely associated with the
reservoir is the stigma. What is its function? At the center of the body is an
oval nucleus, which contains a single body, called endosome. Within the
cytoplasm are oval chloroplasts and paramylum bodies.
2. Ceratium. This dinoflagellate is characterized by the presence of a shell and
2 flagella. The shell or lorica usually has a longitudinal groove called sulcus
and a circular groove, the girdle. Two flagella are lying on the grooves,
though they are very hard to locate in the prepared slide. Ceratium may live
in salt and freshwater.
3. Trypanosoma. Members of the genus spend their life mostly in the blood and
outer body fluids of vertebrate host. The parasite is transmitted by tse-tse fly.
The organism is best observed in blood smear of an infected individual.
Notice that the body is spindle-shaped with posterior end somewhat pointed.
A single flagellum originates from posterior basal granule or kinetosome. The
flagellum initially unites with the protoplasm, forming an undulating
membrane, and tail anteriorly as free flagellum. A single, central nucleus is
present.
4. Amoeba. These are inhabitants of slow streams and ponds. The cytoplasm
has 2 regions: an outer colorless layer, the ectoplasm and a large central
granular mass, the endoplasm. Suspended in the endoplasm are a single
nucleus, contractile vacuole, and food vacuoles. Temporary finger-like
protrusions, the lobopodia are visible.
5. Foraminiferans. The prepared slide only shows the test or shells of
foraminiferans. These shelled sarcodines live in oceans, with few in fresh and
brackish water. The shells or tests usually have many chambers and are
made of calcium carbonate. Slender pseudopodia extend through the pores
in the test.
6. Plasmodium. This is the causative agent of an infectious disease, malaria.
The parasite spends a large part of its life cycle within the host's red blood
cells (RBCs). It is transmitted by the bite of mosquito (Anopheles). The
parasites grow and reproduce asexually by multiple fission (schizogony)
within the RBCs of a vertebrate host. Sexual reproduction occurs by fusion of
gametes – macrogametes (female) and microgametes (male). Locate RBCs
infected with schizonts that can be seen with “signet-ring” appearance or as
dark spots within the cells.
7. Paramecium. These are abundant in ponds or sluggish streams with aquatic
plants and decaying organic matter. Note its slipper-shaped form. Find the
protective outer covering called pellicle. The organism is asymmetrical
because of an oral groove that runs obliquely on the ventral side. Posterior to
the oral groove is a cytoproct where waste materials are discharged. The
body is covered entirely by cilia. Within the cytoplasm is a prominent large,
macronucleus. Beside the macronucleus is the micronucleus. Star-shaped
contractile vacuoles may be seen within the cytoplasm. These are concerned
with osmoregulation or maintaining water and salt balance. Locate also some
food vacuoles in the cytoplasm.
8. Vorticella. Members of the genus are common in freshwater. The body is
shaped like an inverted blood and attached by a contractile stalk. The stalk
may not be easily seen in the slide. Notice that the cilia are confined in the
oral region. It has a bean-shaped macronucleus and a dot-like micronucleus.
What are the functions of these 2 nuclei? Food vacuoles are seen within the
cytoplasm.
References
Barnes, R.D. 1980. Invertebrate Zoology, 4th edition. Saunders College/Holt,
Rinehart and Winston,
Engemann, J. G. and Hegnes, R.W. Invertebrates Zoology. 3rd ed. 1981. New
York: MacMillan Publishing Co., Inc.
Hickman, C.P., F.M. Hickman and L. Kats. 1997. Laboratory Studies in
Integrated Principles of Zoology. 9th edition. The McGraw-Hill Companies,
Inc
II. Guide questions
1. Briefly describe the life cycle of Plasmodium. What part of the life cycle is
observed in the prepared slide?
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2. How do protists carry out sexual reproduction? Discuss by giving an example.
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3. Give examples of other medically important protozoans. State the reason/s
why they are medically important.
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