Question

List the four Supergroups of protozoa, followed by how you would identify what organism is in each.

Answer 1

1) Flagellates, or Mastigophora: The main characteristic of this subgroup includes that the motile cells equipped with whiplike organelles of locomotion. Example: Giardia lamblia.

2) Amoebae, or Sarcodina: The main characteristic of this subgroup includes that the cells move by extending pseudopodia or lamellipodia. Example: Entamoeba histolytica

3) Sporozoans, or Sporozoa: The main characteristic of this subgroup includes that the parasitic in nature, spore-producing cells, whose adult form lacks organs of motility. Example: Plasmodium knowlesi

4) Ciliates, or Ciliophora: The main characteristic of this subgroup includes that the cells equipped with large numbers of short hairlike organs of locomotion. Example: Balantidium coli