Direction: Clearly and briefly explain the following in a SHORT paragraph.
1. What are protists? (Provide a few examples of the most common Protoctista symbiotic associations)
2. Describe the nature of symbiosis between flagellates and wood eating roaches and termites.
3. Distinguish between intestinal flagellates and hemoflagellates with examples.
1. Protists are a diverse group of eukaryotic microorganisms that do not fit into any other major group of organisms. They can be single-celled or multicellular and are found in various environments, including freshwater, soil, and marine habitats. Some examples of common Protoctista symbiotic associations include mutualistic relationships with corals, where photosynthetic protists live inside the coral polyps and provide nutrients through photosynthesis. Another example is the association between protists and termites or wood eating roaches, where the protists aid in the digestion of cellulose in their host's diet.
2. The symbiotic relationship between flagellates and wood eating roaches and termites is known as mutualism. These insects have specialized compartments in their gut called hindgut, which provide a suitable environment for flagellates to thrive. The flagellates, in turn, help in the digestion of cellulose by breaking it down into simpler molecules that can be absorbed by the host. This mutualistic relationship allows the insects to extract nutrients from their wood-based diet that they would not be able to access otherwise.
3. Intestinal flagellates and hemoflagellates are two types of flagellates that differ in their location and mode of transmission. Intestinal flagellates reside in the intestines of animals, including humans, and obtain their nutrients from the host's ingested food. Examples of intestinal flagellates include Giardia, which can cause diarrhea and intestinal discomfort in humans. On the other hand, hemoflagellates are flagellates that reside in the blood of animals, including humans, and are usually transmitted by blood-sucking insects. They can cause diseases such as African sleeping sickness and Chagas disease. Examples of hemoflagellates include Trypanosoma and Leishmania.