Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

27. Protists

Eukaryotic Supergroups: Exploring Protist Diversity

General Biology

27. Protists

Eukaryotic Supergroups: Exploring Protist Diversity

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1:30 minutes

Problem 5

Textbook Question

Which pair of protists has support structures composed of silica?
a. Dinoflagellates and diatoms
b. Diatoms and radiolarians
c. Radiolarians and forams
d. Forams and amoebozoans

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the question: The problem is asking which pair of protists has support structures composed of silica. Silica is a mineral commonly found in the cell walls or skeletons of certain protists.

Recall the characteristics of diatoms: Diatoms are a type of protist that have cell walls made of silica, forming intricate and beautiful patterns. This is a key feature of diatoms.

Recall the characteristics of radiolarians: Radiolarians are another type of protist that have internal skeletons composed of silica. These skeletons are often elaborate and contribute to their structural support.

Eliminate incorrect options: Dinoflagellates do not have silica-based structures; they typically have cellulose plates. Forams have calcium carbonate shells, not silica. Amoebozoans lack silica-based support structures entirely.

Identify the correct pair: Based on the information above, the pair of protists with silica-based support structures is diatoms and radiolarians.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Diatoms

Diatoms are a group of microalgae characterized by their unique silica cell walls, which form intricate and beautiful patterns. These cell walls, known as frustules, provide structural support and protection, allowing diatoms to thrive in various aquatic environments. Their silica composition is crucial for their identification and ecological role in primary production.

Radiolarians

Radiolarians are single-celled protists that possess intricate silica skeletons, which can take on various geometric shapes. These skeletons not only provide structural support but also contribute to the formation of siliceous ooze on the ocean floor when they die. Radiolarians play a significant role in marine ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles.

Silica as a Support Structure

Silica, a compound made of silicon and oxygen, is a key component in the support structures of certain protists, such as diatoms and radiolarians. This material provides rigidity and protection, allowing these organisms to maintain their shape and survive in diverse environments. The presence of silica in their structures is a defining characteristic that aids in their classification and ecological function.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

What is the role of PEP carboxylase in C4 and CAM plants?

a. It fixes CO₂ into an organic acid.

b. It produces ATP for the Calvin cycle.

c. It replaces rubicso in the Calvin cycle.

d. It releases CO₂ from organic acids.

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Textbook Question

According to the phylogeny, which protists are in the same eukaryotic supergroup as plants?

a. Green algae

b. Dinoflagellates

c. Red algae

d. Both A and C

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Textbook Question

How can dinoflagellates be harmful to humans?a. They are transmitted by mosquitoes and cause malaria.b. They produce toxins that can be absorbed by clams and other shellfish which, when eaten by people, can lead to paralytic shellfish poisoning.c. They cause amoebic dysentery which leads to severe diarrhea and dehydration.d. They are transmitted by tsetse flies and cause 'sleeping sickness.'

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Textbook Question

How can dinoflagellates be harmful to humans? a. They are transmitted by mosquitoes and cause malaria. b. They produce toxins that can be absorbed by clams and other shellfish which, when eaten by people, can lead to paralytic shellfish poisoning. c. They cause amoebic dysentery which leads to severe diarrhea and dehydration. d. They are transmitted by tsetse flies and cause 'sleeping sickness.'

445

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Textbook Question

Which of the following members of the SAR supergroup is incorrectly paired with its clade?

a. Stramenopiles—brown algae

b. Alveolates—parasites such as Plasmodium

c. Alveolates—dinoflagellates

d. Rhizaria—diatoms

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Textbook Question

Based on the phylogenetic tree in Figure 28.2, which of the following statements is correct?

a. The most recent common ancestor of Excavata is older than that of SAR.

b. The most recent common ancestor of SAR is older than that of Unikonta.

c. The most basal (first to diverge) eukaryotic supergroup cannot be determined.

d. Excavata is the most basal eukaryotic supergroup.

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Textbook Question

In step 3 of the citric acid cycle, the enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase is regulated by NADH. Compare and contrast the regulation of this enzyme with the regulation of phosphofructokinase in glycolysis.

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Textbook Question

Apply what you know of the relationship between the light-capturing reactions and the Calvin cycle to calculate the number of photons used to produce a new G3P and regenerate RuBP. (Assume 1 ATP is produced for each pair of electrons used to form NADPH.)

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Which pair of protists has support structures composed of silica? a. Dinoflagellates and diatoms b. Diatoms and radiolarians c. Radiolarians and forams d. Forams and amoebozoans

Key Concepts

Diatoms

Radiolarians

Silica as a Support Structure

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Which pair of protists has support structures composed of silica?
a. Dinoflagellates and diatoms
b. Diatoms and radiolarians
c. Radiolarians and forams
d. Forams and amoebozoans