Protozoans – Class 11 | Chapter – 2 | Short Notes Series PDF

Protozoans: All protozoans are heterotrophs and live as predators or parasites. They are believed to be primitive relatives of animals. Protozoa are one-celled animals found worldwide in most habitats. Most species are free living, but all higher animals are infected with one or more species of protozoa. Infections range from asymptomatic to life threatening, depending on the species and strain of the parasite and the resistance of the host.

Structure of Protozoans

Protozoa are microscopic unicellular eukaryotes that have a relatively complex internal structure and carry out complex metabolic activities. Some protozoa have structures for propulsion or other types of movement.

Protozoans Diagram

Classification of Protozoa

On the basis of light and electron microscopic morphology, the protozoa are currently classified into six phyla. Most species causing human disease are members of the phyla Sacromastigophora and Apicomplexa.

Life Cycle Stages of Protozoa

The stages of parasitic protozoa that actively feed and multiply are frequently called trophozoites; in some protozoa, other terms are used for these stages. Cysts are stages with a protective membrane or thickened wall. Protozoan cysts that must survive outside the host usually have more resistant walls than cysts that form in tissues.

Reproduction in Protozoa

Binary fission, the most common form of reproduction, is asexual; multiple asexual division occurs in some forms. Both sexual and asexual reproduction occur in the Apicomplexa.

Nutrition in Protozoa

All parasitic protozoa require preformed organic substances—that is, nutrition is holozoic as in higher animals.

 

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By Team Learning Mantras