The protozoa, also known as protozoathey are unicellular organisms belonging to the protist kingdom. One of its most important characteristics is the ability to move themselves using flagella, cilia or extending part of its cytoplasm. This characteristic allows to classify protozoa into four different types: rizopods or améboid, flagellated, ciliated and sporozoa.
In this article of Ecology Verde, prepare yourself to immerse yourself in the fascinating microscopic world of protozoa, in which we will explore about What are protozoa, their characteristics, types and examples.
What are protozoa
The protozoa are unicellular microorganisms that belong to the protist kingdom. The term “protozoa” is used to group various Unicellular eukaryotic groups that are distant from each other, but nevertheless have a remote evolutionary relationship. These organisms have experienced a diversity of evolutionary processes that have resulted in adaptations in their cellular components. Protozoa present a Great variety And they are found in different habitats, such as fresh water, salt water, soil and inside other organisms.
You can find more information in these other articles what microorganisms are: classification, characteristics and types and protist kingdom: what is, characteristics, classification and examples.
Characteristics of protozoa
- Its size varies from 10 to 50 micrometersalthough some species can grow to a millimeter or more.
- Protozoa have the ability to move themselves using Flagelos, cilia or extending part of your cytoplasmas if they were “fingers.”
- They get their oxygen breathing through its cell wall and capturing particles present in the water.
- They have the ability to form resistance structures called cyststhat allow them to protect themselves when water is scarce or for reproductive purposes.
- Its main power supply consists of bacteriaother organisms and organic remains.
Types of protozoa
The classification of protozoa is based on various criteria, such as locomotion, structure, ways of life etc. Next, we present the types of protozoa that exist:
Rizopods or améboid
Rizopods are a category of unicellular organisms known as protozoa, which have the ability to change form by emission of pseudopods to capture solid foods.
Flagellates
Flagellates are organisms that have a single nucleus and are composed of individual cells or colonies. They are at an intermediate point between protozoa and algae.
Ciliates
The ciliates are characterized by having their body covered with cilia, which they use to move. These organisms consume bacteria in aquatic environments and have two nuclei in their structure.
Sporozoa
Sporozoa are usually internal and motionless parasites. They have a life cycle associated with the organism that parasitate.
Reproduction of protozoa
Protozoa have the ability to reproduce both sexual and asexual. Next, we describe each type of reproduction:
- Binary (asexual) division: process that implies a cellular fusion after mitosis, which implies genetic replication. The result are new individuals, identical to each other and the parent cell.
- Gemation (asexual): There is an identical copy of itself within a resistant structure that remains linked to the parent. The new individual is genetically identical to the parent. Here you can learn more about gemation: what is and examples.
- Sporulation (asexual): The original protozoan is fragmented in a set of spores or endospores. These spores are able to resist environmental changes and subsequently develop in complete individuals. In this link you will see more about what is sporulation and examples.
- Cellular (sexual) fusion: Protozoa produce gametes or microgametes inside, which allow them to join and form a zygote. During this fusion, the genetic materials of the parents are mixed, resulting in a new individual with a greater genetic variety and originality.
Diseases caused by protozoa
- Malaria (malaria): This disease is caused by different species of parasite protozoa of the genus Plasmodium. It is characterized by sweating, high fevers, headache and, in more severe cases, it can present symptoms such as cough, muscle aches, blood stools, jaundice and complications such as shock, renal or liver damage, and can even lead to death.
- Amibiasis: It is a common intestinal infection is caused by pathogenic amibas in the intestine or the digestive tract. These amibas cover the intestinal wall, hindering the absorption of nutrients and causing diarrhea and other gastrointestinal damage.
- Toxoplasmosis: This disease is caused by Toxoplasma Gondii and is transmitted to the human being through contact with cats and other infected felines, as well as infected animal or human feces. The symptoms are similar to that of a flu, but it can also inflame the lymph nodes, the spleen, the liver and form cysts in the tissues.
In this post we talk about biological pollution: what is, types and examples.
Examples of protozoa
Rizopods or améboid
- Amoeba Proteus
- Entamoeba histolytica
- Entamoeba gingivalis
- Naegleria Fowleri
- DICTYOSTELIUM DISCOIDEUM
- Physarum polycephalum
Flagellates
- Trypanosoma Cruzi
- Trypanosoma Brucei
- Giardia Lamblia
- Trichomonas vaginalis
- Leishmania Donovani
- Leishmania Braziliensis
Ciliates
- Paramecium caudatum
- Stentor Coeruleus
- Vorticella spp.
- Tetrahymena Thermophila
- Oxytricha spp.
- Balantidium coli
Sporozoa
- Plasmodium Malarie
- Plasmodium falciparum
- Plasmodium Vivax
- Toxoplasma gondii
- Cryptosporidium Parvum
- Cyclospora cayetanensis
You already know more about what protozoa, their characteristics, types and examples are, so we now encourage you to learn about what microbiology and its branches are.
If you want to read more articles similar to Protozoa: what are, characteristics, types and exampleswe recommend that you enter our biology category.
- Rodríguez, D., Olivares, J. and Arce, J. (2010). Evolution of protozoa. Rev. Health Anim. Vol. 32 No. 2: 118-120
- Scorza, J. and Arcay, L. (SF). Protozoa https://bibliofep.fundacionempresaspolar.org/media/17011/libro_bio_t1_009.pdf
