A. UNDERSTANDING THE DEFINITION PLANT-LIKE PROTISTS
As the name implies, Plant-Like Protists is a Member
of kingdom protist that has characteristics similar to plants (kingdom
Plantae). Protist-like plants which have only one cell (unicellular) often
referred as phytoplankton, while the body composed by many cells
(multicellular) often called algae. The difference with real plants (kingdom
Plantae) are Plant-Like Protists protist does not have roots, stems and true
leaves.
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| PLANT LIKE PROTISTS |
B. CLASSIFICATION CHARACTERISTICS OF PLANT-LIKE
PROTISTS
Plant-Like Protists is divided into seven phylum,
this grouping is based by the dominant pigments that make up the body.
1.
Euglenophyta
Euglenophyta is a group of Plant-Like Protists that
has such a dominant chlorophyll a, b, carotene, and sometimes xantofil pigment.
The number of species in the phylum is estimated at more than 800 species.
Euglenophyta Phylum is a unicellular organism that has flagella (whip
feathers), Spot on the eye that can capture light (called the stigma), and chloroplasts.
Name of this phylum are based on one of its genus called Euglena. This group is
one of the protists that can photosynthesize because chlorophyll and can move
because it has flagella. So they resemble plants an also like an animal. Some
members of the Euglenophyta phylum can live as an autotroph (produce their own
food) and heteretroph (hunting for food). When there is enough light, then they
will live as an autotroph, whereas when the light is not enough, they will live
as a heterotroph. Usually found in the waters and reproduce by splitting
themselves.
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| EUGLENOPHYTA |
2.
Chrysophyta (Golden Algae)
Chrysophytes is a plant-line protists group that are
often referred to as the "golden algae". Golden-brown color on
Chrysophytes formed because it has such a dominant carotene and fikosatin pigment,
besides Chrysophytes also have chlorophyll. Number of species Chrysophytes are
about 850 species. Most of the species are photoautotrophs organisms that can
produce their own food through photosynthesis. Members of golden algae have
various shapes and sizes, there are also multicellular and unicellular Chrysophytes.
Reproduction can be done asexually and sexually. Asexual reproduction in
unicellular usually by binary fission and spore formation. While in
multicellular asexual reproduction done by spores. Sexual reproduction is done
by melting gametes. Many freshwater habitats and wetlands, can also be found in
the oceans.
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| CHRYSOPHYTA (GOLDEN ALGAE) |
3.
Baccilariophyta (Diatoms)
These phylum have the most species than other groups
of Plantlike protists. Total Species that have been identified about 10,000.
Generally Bacillariophytes is a unicellular organism that does not stir and
live as plankton. Pigments constituent of their bodies are; chlorophyll a, c,
xantofil, and the carotene. Their Cell Membrane contains pectin and silicate,
diatom can also secrete frustule (silium dioxide) so that when these organisms
die, then the shell will form diatomaceous earth that has a hefty selling price
because it can be used for various things.
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| BACCILARIOPHYTA (DIATOME) |
Diatoms have unique body structure, which is part of
the body consists of a box (hipoteka) and cap (epiteka), between the box and
the cap there is a gap called the raphe. Based on body shape, diatoms can be
divided into two major groups; the one that has the long bilateral symmetry body
called pennalean, and the centralean with rounded fat radial symmetry body.
Reproduction of diatoms can occur sexually and asexually. Diatoms are often put
into an Chrysophytes group (Algae Golden Age), but here I separated them so
that you can obtain more information about diatoms.
4. Pyrrophyta
/ Dinoflagellata (fire algae)
Pyrrophyta / Dinoflagellata a plant like protists
that have the dominant form of the chlorophyll a and c, santofil, dinosatin and
fikobilin pigment. Constituent of the body covered with red pigment that can
capture light. Fire Algae is a group that can produce light (bioluminesens)
which is clearly visible at night. At a certain point, the population will
increase rapidly in the ocean, so at this time a large groupe of pyrrophyta
looks like a blazing fire in the ocean, thats why the name for this group is
Pyrophyta or fire algae. blazing fire events in the ocean is known as red tide.
When it appeared, the water have oxygen-poor conditions, also sometimes become
toxic so that when this phenomenon occurs many other living creatures are dead.
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| PYRROPHYTA / DINOFLAGELLATA (FIRE ALGAE) |
This Phylum have the number of members of about 1,100
species. Another name of this Plantlike Protists is Dinoflagellata, in Greek
dinos means spinning. Fire Algae generally have two flagella (whip feathers),
so, when the two flagella moves, it will form a movement that generates
whirlpools around it, thats why it was given the name Dinoflagellata. Their Habitat
is sea water and fresh water. Most of them can perform photosynthesis, but there
are also some species that live as parasites or as carnivores.
5. Chlorophyta
(green algae)
As the name implies, Chlorophyta had a
greenish-colored body. The dominant constituent of their body is chlorophyll pigment,
in addition they also have a little carotene (yellow pigment). In the body of
the green algae chlorophyll gather in a place called chloroplasts. Each
individual have different shapes of chloroplast, there is a round, spiral
shapes, such as stars, etc. Chlorophyta are unicellular organisms that can
colonize to form simple multicellular organisms. They are often found living in
a watery habitat. Because it has chlorophyll, a green algae live as an autotroph
that produce food through photosynthesis. Reproduction can occur asexually (via
binary fission) or sexually (by conjugation).
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| CHLOROPHYTA (GREEN ALGAE) |
6. Phaeophyta
(brown algae)
Phaeophyta a plant like protists that have a dominant
xantofil pigment so that their body is brown. The number of species is about
1500 species, habitat mostly in the sea. Name of these algae in accordance with
their characteristics, "Phaeophyta" comes from "phaeios" a
Greek word meaning brown. Beside Fukosatin, brown algae also have chlorophyll
a, c, and santofil pigment. They are mostly shaped like a multicellular
organism thread. Phaeophyta structure is completely similar to the plants
because it has roots, stems and leaves. Reproduce asexually by splitting then produces
zoospores or fragmentation. While sexually done by producing male and female
gametes. Brown algae is often used as food, fertilizer, and cosmetics
ingredients.
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| PHAEOPHYTA (BROWN ALGAE) |
7. Rhobdophyta
(Red Algae)
Rhobdophyta a plant like protists group that have the
dominant form of fikoeritrin pigment so the color of the body is red. In
addition they also have phycocyanin and chlorophyll pigments.. Red algae body
composed of many layers cell, and they do not have flagella. Members of this
phylum have been identified is about 4000 species which is generally a
multicellular organism. Most Rhodophyta live in the sea, and a small proportion
can be found in fresh water. Reproduction may take place asexually and
sexually. Asexual reproduction done by forming tetraspora. While sexually done
directly with male and female gametes.
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| RHOBDOPHYTA (RED ALGAE) |
