Question

List the distinguishing characters of the phylum protozoan, and classify the phylum with examples. 

Answer 1

Characters:

• Unicellular, microscopic, Protoplasmic grade of construction.
• Uninucleate or binucleate [Macro and Micro¬nucleus]
• Holophytic, Holozoic, Saprophytic or Parasitic mode of nutrition. 
• Digestion intracellular. Respiration and excretion by diffusion. 
• Contractile vacuoles regulate osmoregulation.
• Locomotion by Pseudopodia / Cilia / flagella.
• Reproduction by asexual (Binary fission and multiple fission), Sexual by conjugation or fusion of gametes

Classification:

• Class – Rhizopoda / Sarcodina – Eg. Amoeba
• Class – Mastigophora/Flagellata Eg. Euglena
• Class – Ciliata – Eg : Paramecium
• Class – Sporozoa – Eg. Plasmodium