BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT, DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY

SYSTEMA LAB (LBYBI12)

Exercise 3

THE PLANT-LIKE MICROSCOPIC PROTISTS

Introduction

Using nucleic acid sequencing and detailed comparisons of cell structure, systematists have recently begun to sort out
the group of organisms known for decades as the protists. Classification systems based on five or even eight kingdoms
still place the polyphyletic (or paraphyletic) groups of protists in the same kingdom. However, the recent three domain
system (Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya) classified the protists under different clades. While kingdom Plantae, Fungi,
and Animalia are expected to remain relatively intact, the Protista may eventually be split into as many as 20 or so
separate kingdoms!

Nevertheless, most biologists retain the term ‘protists’ to refer to organisms that are neither plant, animal nor fungi
but exhibit their characteristics. Protists are all eukaryotic but vary in structure and function more than any other group
of organisms. Most are unicellular but some are colonial and multicellular. Many are incredibly complex; within a
single cellular membrane the organism must carry out the myriad of life functions performed by the complex tissue
and organ systems of plants and animals. Some are autotrophic, others completely heterotrophic.

In the laboratory today you will get familiar with representatives of the plant-like microscopic protists, which are also
generally termed microalgae. These microalgae are important producers in marine and freshwater ecosystems. They
include the euglenoids, dinoflagellates, diatoms and the golden-brown algae.

Objectives
1. To distinguish the plant-like microscopic protists based on their inherent characteristics.
2. To examine the economic and ecological importance of these plant-like microscopic protists.

Materials
Images of diatoms, Vaucheria, Ceratium, Pyrodinium, Euglena

Procedure

Get familiar with the varied taxa of microscopic photosynthetic protists and their diagnostic characteristics.

1. Division Euglenophyta (Clade Euglenozoa, euglenoids)

Clade Euglenozoa is distinguished from all other protists by the presence of a spiral or crystalline rod of unknown
function inside their flagella. Most studied euglenozoans include the euglenoids and the kinetoplastids.

Let’s get familiar with its most common representative in the lab, the Euglena. They are single-celled organisms,
usually 35-55 um long, spindle-shaped or elongated; shape is maintained by an outer boundary of protoplast, the
pellicle or periplast. They are able to greatly distort their body to change direction. This distortion is called
euglenoid motion.

The flagella, typically two (2), arise from the base of reservoir and pass through narrow passage called gullet. They
have a reddish eyespot (=stigma) and contractile vacuole near the reservoir. Their numerous chloroplasts contain
several photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and b, beta-carotene and xanthophyll). Storage products are starch-
like polysaccharides, paramylum and oils. Paramylum may occur as discs, rings, rods or spherical granules in
cytoplasm. Nucleus lies in the less viscous cytoplasm.
 BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT, DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY
SYSTEMA LAB (LBYBI12)

Euglena thrive best where there is an abundance of organic wastes, where water has brown or green color, also in
calm waters. There are over 100 different species of Euglena.

2. Division Pyrrophyta (Clade Alveolata, dinoflagellates)

The Clade Alveolata include the apicomplexans, ciliates and dinoflagellates, all of which are characterized by
membrane-bounded sacs (=alveoli) just under the plasma membrane. The function of alveoli is unknown but
researchers hypothesize that they may help stabilize the cell surface or regulate the cell’s water and ion content.

The dinoflagellates are important members of the plankton in both fresh and marine waters, although there is greater
diversity among the marine species. These photosynthetic protists are so-named because of their two whip-like
flagella, which in many species project through cellulose walls that resemble armor plates. Many are bioluminescent,
producing brilliant green light when disturbed. The chlorophyll is masked by red pigments that help trap light energy.
When so numerous, the water is dyed red by the color of their bodies causing "red tides".

Let us be familiar with Pyrodinium, a species of which [Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum] causes the recurring
red tide phenomenon along Manila Bay. Note its epicone and hypocone divided by transverse girdle or cingulum, its
longitudinal sulcus running perpendicular to the girdle, its longitudinal and transverse flagella, and its eyespot and
nucleus.

3. Division Bacillariophyta (Clade Stramenopila, diatoms)

The diatoms are classified under Clade Stramenopila, which also include the water molds, the golden-brown algae
and the multicellular brown algae. A diagnostic characteristic of this clade is the flagellum with numerous fine, hair-
like projections (=tinsel-type flagellum).

There are up to 200,000 extant species of diatoms. Though mostly unicellular, some diatoms form colonies. Members
of this class possess siliceous walls in two overlapping sections. The walls are a delicate lacework of holes and grooves
that differentiate each species. Each of the overlapping section is called a valve. The larger valve above is epitheca
and the smaller valve below is the hypotheca. The two together make up the frustule and are joined together by
connecting or girdle bands.

Two views can be seen: valve and girdle views which show the top or "face" and the side or edge, respectively.
There are two morphological forms of diatoms: those possessing radial symmetry range from round, capsule-like or
drum-shaped and those with bilateral symmetry have an elongate axis. They are generally described as centric or
pennate diatoms, respectively.

Photosynthetic pigments include chlorophylls a and c, carotene, xanthophylls and fucoxanthin. Storage products
include oils and chrysolaminarin. Diatoms mostly reproduce by mitosis. Sexual reproduction is not common. When it
occurs, it involves the formation of eggs and sperms. Sperms may be amoeboid or flagellated.

Examine representatives of freshwater and marine diatoms. Access https://diatoms.org/ to appreciate the diatoms
great diversity in forms.

In your worksheet, draw at least two representative pennate diatoms showing valve and girdle views. In valve view,
label the parts: frustule, polar and central nodule, raphe, and markings of frustule. In girdle view, label the following:
hypotheca, epitheca, girdle or connecting bands.

4. Division Chrysophyta (Clade Stramenopila, Golden-Brown Algae)

The Chrysophyta have their pigments localized in chromatophores that are yellowish green to golden brown because
of a predominance of carotenes and one or two xanthophylls that mask chlorophyll a. The food reserves are oil and
 BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT, DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY
SYSTEMA LAB (LBYBI12)

fat; they do not store starch. Vegetative multiplication of filamentous and colonial forms is accomplished by
fragmentation. Asexual reproduction is carried out by formation of flagellated zoospores, aplanospores or akinetes.
Gametes are formed in the oogonium and antheridium.

Let us be familiar with Vaucheria. It is a siphonous, multinucleate microalga but becomes septate at reproduction
and if filament is damaged. The filament reaches several centimeters in length. It also has a branched, colourless,
rhizoid-like holdfast. Some of its species are partly terrestrial and form coarse, green masses on damp soil,
particularly round the edges of ponds, or on the silty shores of salt-marshes; other species are totally aquatic, mostly
in fresh water habitats.

In your worksheet, draw a portion of Vaucheria showing the thallus with oogonium and antheridium. Label the
parts.

References:
Campbell N et al. (2018). Biology: a global approach (11th ed). Pearson Education Ltd.
Reece JB et al 2012. Campbell Biology: Concepts & Connections (7th ed.). Pearson Education South Asia PTE. LTD.
(Phil. Edition).

Prepared by EH Mandia June2020