Biology 332 - Protistology Term 2 - 2002-2003

Biology 332 Review Questions

Red algae

Apicomplexa

Ciliates

Forams and Actinopods

Amoebae and Slime molds

Amoebae are polyphyletic. What does this mean and what is the evidence to substantiate the statement.

What are amoeboflagellates? Describe the life history of Naegleria as an example.

Define endoplasm, ectoplasm, uroid, endosome, aranaceous test.

The chromidial net is well - developed in Arcella and similar testate amoebae. What is it and what is its function?

Discuss the formation of the test in Difflugia.

Slime molds are also polyphyletic. Discuss.

Compare the life cycles of dictyostelid slime molds with that myxomycetes such as Physarum..

Discuss adaptations to a soil or benthic environment on various groups of protists. To a terrestrial as opposed to benthic environment?

Fungi

There are two groups of organisms included in fungi, the higher fungi (fungi proper) and the phycomycetes (lower fungi). What are the features of phycomycetes? Where do they fit in relation to other protist groups? Should they really be called fungi? Why? Why not?

What basic features of chytrid cell organization help you to place these organisms in a phylogeny of eukaryotes.

Animals

Choanoflagellates. What are they and why are they considered to protist representatives of the line that led to animals.

Describe the structure of the collar and flagellar apparatus of of choanoflagellates. How does the direction of the feeding current differ from that of other flagellates.

There are two traditional theories for origin of animals, the colonial integration theory and the coenocyte cellularization theory. Briefly summarize these. What evidence is there to support either of them.

What features are shared by choanoflagellates and the choanocytes of sponges.

What is trichoplax? What is its importance for animal evolution. How is is it related to sponges and other animals.

What are the Vendian (also called Ediacaran) fossils?

Behaviour

Define taxis and give an example. What is meant by the statement "Taxes are non-directed responses"? How do taxes differ from kineses?

How is the normal swimming pattern produced in Paramecium? What factors control the pattern of flagellar beat?

What is the "avoiding reaction"? What happens and what is its physiological basis? What is the relation between membrane potentials and behaviour?

What does it mean when it is stated that reaction potentials in Paraemcium are graded? How does this affect behaviour?

What are receptors. Explain how meachincal stimulation results in behavioural response in Paramecium. What are receptor potentials? How have these been demonstrated in Paramecium?

The resting potential of the membrane affects the probability of avoiding reactions and the speed of swimming. Explain?

Chemokinesis can result in concentration of cells in an area containing a positive stimulus, or in their avoiding an area containing a negative stimulus. Explain what happens.

Explain how phototaxis works in Euglena. What are the roles of the eyespot and the flagellar swelling?

Explain how amoeboid movement works. What is responsible for the movement? What makes th cell move forward? Describe the pattern of gel formation and disassembly in the ectoplasm. How does attachment of the cell to the substratum affect the pattern of cytoplasmic movement? Why?

!!! General Questions from previous finals !!!

Discuss the phyletic relations between the following large protist groups: Chromists, alveolates, fungi, animals, chlorophytes, red-algae.