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Quizzes > Science

Protists Quiz: Identify Ciliated Protists and Fungi Lookalikes

Quick, free ciliated protists quiz. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Padam Singh MuzaldaUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of protist with cilia and fungus-like forms on dark blue background

This protists quiz helps you spot ciliated microbes and tell fungus-like protists from true fungi. Use it to practice grouping, compare traits, and build speed for class or exams. For more fungal practice, try our yeast vs mold quiz, and if you want broader cell ID skills, check out our cell types quiz.

Which organelle do Paramecium species use primarily for movement?
Cilia
Pseudopodia
Flagella
Amphiesma
Paramecium are characterized by numerous short hair-like cilia covering their surface which beat in coordinated waves to enable locomotion and feeding. This ciliary movement also creates feeding currents that help the organism ingest food particles. Cilia differ from flagella in being shorter and more numerous, while pseudopodia are used by amoeboid organisms.
Which structure helps Paramecium regulate its internal water balance?
Food vacuole
Golgi apparatus
Ribosome
Contractile vacuole
Paramecium live in hypotonic freshwater environments where water continually enters by osmosis. The contractile vacuole collects excess water and expels it, preventing the cell from bursting. Food vacuoles are used for digestion, and organelles like ribosomes and the Golgi apparatus serve other cellular functions.
What feeding structure in Paramecium directs food particles into the cell?
Cytostome
Flagellar pocket
Oral groove
Gullet
The oral groove of Paramecium is a surface indentation lined with cilia that channel food particles toward the cytostome for ingestion. Although the term "cytostome" refers to the mouth opening, the oral groove specifically captures and directs the food. Flagellar pockets are found in other protists like kinetoplastids.
Which protist group moves using cilia?
Euglenozoa
Amoebozoa
Ciliophora
Dinoflagellata
Ciliophora, commonly known as ciliates, are characterized by the presence of many cilia used for locomotion and feeding. Amoebozoa move with pseudopodia, Euglenozoa often use flagella, and dinoflagellates have two flagella with distinct orientations.
Which organism does NOT use cilia for movement?
Stentor roeselii
Paramecium caudatum
Vorticella campanula
Amoeba proteus
Amoeba proteus moves and feeds by extending pseudopodia rather than using cilia. Paramecium, Stentor, and Vorticella are ciliates that rely on cilia for locomotion or feeding currents.
Which organism is a fungus-like protist responsible for potato late blight?
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Plasmopara viticola
Phytophthora infestans
Rhizopus stolonifer
Phytophthora infestans is an oomycete, often called a water mold, that causes potato late blight. Unlike true fungi such as Rhizopus or Saccharomyces, oomycetes have cellulose in their cell walls. Plasmopara viticola causes grape downy mildew.
To which domain do ciliates belong?
Eukaryota
Archaea
Viruses
Bacteria
Ciliates are eukaryotic organisms with membrane-bound organelles and true nuclei, classifying them within the domain Eukaryota. Bacteria and Archaea are prokaryotes without a defined nucleus, and viruses are acellular.
What is the function of trichocysts in some ciliates?
Photosynthesis
Reproduction
Digestion
Defense
Trichocysts are defensive organelles in certain ciliates that can discharge filamentous structures to deter predators. They are not involved in reproduction, photosynthesis, or digestion.
Which form of reproduction do Paramecium most commonly exhibit under favorable conditions?
Syngamy
Conjugation
Sporulation
Binary fission
Under favorable conditions, Paramecium primarily reproduce asexually by binary fission, dividing into two genetically identical daughter cells. Conjugation is a sexual process that introduces genetic variation but is less frequent.
Paramecium caudatum is classified in which kingdom?
Fungi
Animalia
Plantae
Protista
Paramecium caudatum is a heterotrophic single-celled organism grouped in the kingdom Protista. It is neither a true fungus, plant, nor animal.
Which genus of protists is known for its trumpet shape and cilia used to create feeding currents?
Paramecium
Stentor
Vorticella
Euglena
Stentor species are large, trumpet-shaped ciliates that use bands of cilia to generate feeding currents. Vorticella also uses cilia but has a bell-shaped body attached by a stalk. Paramecium is slipper-shaped, and Euglena uses flagella.
What is the primary function of cilia in protozoan ciliates?
Reproduction
Respiration
Locomotion and feeding
Excretion
In ciliates, cilia are used both for locomotion and to create water currents that bring food particles toward the oral region. They are not directly involved in reproduction, respiration, or excretion.
Which ciliate has a slipper-like appearance under the microscope?
Vorticella campanula
Paramecium caudatum
Amoeba proteus
Euglena gracilis
Paramecium caudatum is often described as slipper-shaped due to its elongated, rounded form. Amoeba have irregular shapes, Euglena are spindle-shaped with flagella, and Vorticella are bell-shaped.
Which two protists both possess cilia?
Dictyostelium and Phytophthora
Amoeba and Euglena
Trypanosoma and Plasmodium
Paramecium and Vorticella
Both Paramecium and Vorticella are ciliates that use cilia for movement or feeding. Amoeba use pseudopodia, Euglena use flagella, Trypanosoma and Plasmodium are flagellated or apicomplexan parasites, and Dictyostelium and Phytophthora lack cilia.
Which free-living ciliate is often used as a model organism in molecular and cellular biology?
Tetrahymena thermophila
Paramecium caudatum
Amoeba proteus
Euglena gracilis
Tetrahymena thermophila is widely used in scientific research for studies on cell biology, genetics, and molecular processes. It has well-characterized genetics and ease of culture. Paramecium, Amoeba, and Euglena are also studied but less commonly as standard model organisms.
Which ciliate has a stalk that anchors it to substrates and uses a contractile stalk for movement?
Paramecium
Blepharisma
Vorticella
Stentor
Vorticella species are sessile ciliates attached to substrates by a stalk that can contract, drawing the cell body closer to the base. Paramecium and Blepharisma are free-swimming, and Stentor attaches loosely without a contractile stalk.
Which nucleus in ciliates controls non-reproductive cellular functions?
Macronucleus
Micronucleus
Contractile vacuole
Pellicle
The macronucleus in ciliates regulates everyday cellular activities such as metabolism, growth, and development. The micronucleus stores genetic material used during sexual reproduction. The contractile vacuole and pellicle are organelles unrelated to genetic control.
What is the primary component of cell walls in Oomycetes (water molds)?
Peptidoglycan
Chitin
Silica
Cellulose
Oomycetes have cell walls composed mainly of cellulose and glucans, distinguishing them from true fungi which have chitin. They do not use silica or peptidoglycan in their cell walls.
Which slime mold forms a multinucleate plasmodium during its life cycle?
Physarum polycephalum
Candida albicans
Paramecium caudatum
Phytophthora infestans
Physarum polycephalum, a plasmodial slime mold, forms a large multinucleate plasmodium stage. Candida is a yeast fungus, Phytophthora is an oomycete, and Paramecium is a ciliate.
During conjugation in ciliates, which structure undergoes meiosis?
Oral groove
Pellicle
Micronucleus
Macronucleus
In ciliate conjugation, the micronucleus undergoes meiosis to produce haploid nuclei for exchange between mating cells. The macronucleus is typically degraded and reformed but does not undergo meiosis.
Which alveolate group is characterized by two flagella and distinctive cellulose plates instead of cilia?
Apicomplexans
Dinoflagellates
Radiolarians
Ciliates
Dinoflagellates possess two flagella and often have cellulose armor plates. Apicomplexans are parasitic alveolates lacking cilia or flagella, and ciliates have cilia, not flagella. Radiolarians belong to Rhizaria and have silica-based skeletons.
What is the function of the pellicle in Paramecium?
Synthesize proteins
Maintain cell shape and flexibility
Store genetic information
Generate ATP
The pellicle in Paramecium is a flexible but firm layer under the cell membrane that helps maintain the organism's shape while allowing movement. It does not store genetic information or directly synthesize proteins or ATP.
Which structure in ciliates is the cytopharynx used for ingestion?
Pellicle
Contractile vacuole
Cytopharynx
Trichocyst
The cytopharynx is a tubular feeding structure in ciliates that leads food from the oral region into the cell. Contractile vacuoles regulate water, trichocysts are defense organelles, and the pellicle supports the cell surface.
What distinguishes oomycete zoospores from true fungal spores?
Chitinous coat
Ciliary beating
Two heterokont flagella
Pigmented cell wall
Oomycete zoospores have two unequal flagella (a tinsel and a whiplash flagellum) characteristic of heterokonts. True fungal spores lack flagella and have chitinous cell walls. Oomycete walls are cellulose-based.
Which cellular slime mold forms an aggregate called a pseudoplasmodium during its life cycle?
Entamoeba histolytica
Dictyostelium discoideum
Naegleria fowleri
Physarum polycephalum
Dictyostelium discoideum, a cellular slime mold, forms a multicellular pseudoplasmodium (slug) when starved, which moves and differentiates into fruiting bodies. Physarum is a plasmodial slime mold without a slug stage.
What role do alveoli play in the cortical structure of ciliates?
Exchange genetic material
Function as contractile vacuoles
Capture food particles
Provide cortical support and ion regulation
Alveoli in ciliates are membrane-bound sacs under the pellicle that provide structural support and often house ion channels for osmoregulation. They are not involved in feeding, genetic exchange, or acting as contractile vacuoles.
How many mating types are recognized in Tetrahymena thermophila?
Three
Two
Four
Seven
Tetrahymena thermophila has a complex mating system with seven mating types, allowing for diverse conjugation combinations. Most organisms have two mating types, but ciliates can have multiple.
What term describes the coordinated beating pattern of cilia in protozoa?
Synchronous flagella
Ciliary twitch
Flagellar undulation
Metachronal wave
Metachronal waves are the sequential, coordinated beats observed in rows of cilia, enhancing efficient movement or fluid flow. This term is specific to ciliary action and differs from flagellar motions.
What type of life cycle does Phytophthora infestans exhibit?
Diplontic animal life cycle
Alternation of generations plant life cycle
Diploid-dominant heterokont life cycle
Haploid-dominant fungal life cycle
Phytophthora infestans, an oomycete, has a diploid-dominant life cycle where meiosis produces haploid gametes. True fungi are typically haploid-dominant or dikaryotic. Plants alternate generations, and animals are diplontic.
The symbiosis between Paramecium bursaria and Chlorella algae is an example of which interaction?
Mutualism
Competition
Parasitism
Commensalism
Paramecium bursaria harbors Chlorella algae, which photosynthesize and provide nutrients to the ciliate, while receiving protection and mobility - defining mutualism. In commensalism one benefits without the other, and in parasitism one is harmed.
Which ciliary structure is described as the adoral zone of membranelles (AZM) in ciliates?
Bands of fused cilia near the oral region
Contractile vacuole canals
Defensive extrusomes
Surface alveoli
The adoral zone of membranelles (AZM) consists of rows of fused cilia (membranelles) adjacent to the oral region in many ciliates, generating feeding currents. They are distinct from contractile vacuole structures or defensive extrusomes.
Ciliate alveoli are a key feature of which major eukaryotic supergroup?
Excavata
Rhizaria
Alveolata
Opisthokonta
Alveolata is a supergroup defined by the presence of cortical alveoli beneath the cell membrane in ciliates, dinoflagellates, and apicomplexans. Other supergroups lack these alveoli.
In hypotrich ciliates, the dense arrays of basal bodies and cilia arranged in tufts for crawling are called what?
Kineties
Trichocysts
Cirri
Cystolines
Cirri are bundles of fused cilia in hypotrichs that function like legs for crawling over surfaces. Kineties are longitudinal rows of cilia, trichocysts are defensive organelles, and cystolines are not a ciliate structure.
Which molecular marker is most commonly used to resolve phylogenetic relationships among ciliates?
Beta-tubulin gene
Small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA)
Mitochondrial cytochrome b
Chloroplast DNA
SSU rRNA gene sequences are widely used in protist systematics to infer evolutionary relationships among ciliates due to their conservation and variability. Chloroplast DNA is irrelevant for heterotrophic ciliates, and other markers are less standard.
How are oomycete hyphae different from true fungal hyphae?
They have septa with pores
They are coenocytic (non-septate)
They contain chitin
They form dikaryotic stages
Oomycete hyphae are typically coenocytic, lacking septa, while true fungal hyphae often have septa and chitin-rich walls. Fungal hyphae may form dikaryotic stages in some groups.
In ciliate stages of conjugation, how many haploid micronuclei from each cell fuse to form the new micronucleus?
None, macronuclei fuse instead
One from each cell
Two from each cell
All four produced in each cell
During ciliate conjugation, each cell's micronucleus undergoes meiosis to produce four haploid nuclei, but only one haploid micronucleus from each partner fuses to form the new diploid micronucleus. Macronuclei are regenerated but do not fuse.
Which survival structure is produced by many oomycetes following sexual reproduction?
Ascosporangium
Zygospore
Basidiospore
Oospore
Oospores are thick-walled sexual spores produced by oomycetes after fertilization, allowing survival under adverse conditions. Zygospores are fungal, ascospores form in sac fungi, and basidiospores in Basidiomycota.
Which cytoplasmic streaming pattern is characteristic of plasmodial slime molds like Physarum?
Shuttle streaming
Brownian motion
No streaming occurs
Rotational streaming
Shuttle streaming in plasmodial slime molds is a bidirectional flow of cytoplasm that oscillates rhythmically, aiding distribution of nutrients. Rotational streaming is seen in other protists.
Which protein is a major component of ciliate axonemes forming the core of cilia?
Tubulin
Actin
Collagen
Keratin
Ciliate cilia have a 9+2 microtubule arrangement within the axoneme, with ?- and ?-tubulin subunits forming the microtubules. Actin is in microfilaments, keratin and collagen are structural proteins in animals.
What shape are mitochondrial cristae in most ciliates?
Vesicular
Lamellar
Cristae absent
Tubular
Most ciliates have tubular mitochondrial cristae, which are invaginations of the inner mitochondrial membrane. Lamellar cristae are common in other eukaryotes, and vesicular cristae occur in some protists.
What environmental trigger often induces sporulation in Physarum polycephalum?
Nutrient depletion
Excess light
Presence of predators
High temperature
Physarum polycephalum forms sporangia and spores in response to nutrient depletion or desiccation, ensuring survival. Light or temperature may influence behavior but are not primary triggers.
Which ciliate class includes organisms with a complex ventral cirral arrangement for crawling?
Oligohymenophorea
Colpodea
Hypotrichea (Spirotrichea)
Karyorelictea
Hypotrichea (now in class Spirotrichea) have well-developed cirri on their ventral surface for crawling. Oligohymenophorea include Paramecium without cirri, while other classes have different features.
Which specialized infraciliature structure forms the paroral membrane in some ciliates?
Spongiome
Trichocysts
Epiplasm
Peniculi
Peniculi are rows of cilia with associated basal bodies that form structures like the paroral membrane in certain ciliates, aiding in feeding. Trichocysts are extrusive, spongiome relates to contractile vacuoles, and epiplasm is cortical.
Which gene sequence data solidified the monophyly of the Alveolata supergroup?
18S rRNA sequences
16S rRNA sequences
Ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase (rbcL)
COI mitochondrial gene
Analysis of 18S (SSU) rRNA sequences from diverse taxa confirmed that ciliates, dinoflagellates, and apicomplexans form a clade termed the Alveolata. 16S sequences are for bacteria, COI for animals, and rbcL for plants.
Which group within Amoebozoa includes slime molds with plasmodial stages?
Myxomycetes
Dictyosteliida
Archamoebae
Gymnamoebae
Myxomycetes, also called plasmodial slime molds, form large multinucleate plasmodia. Dictyosteliida are cellular slime molds forming multicellular slugs, while Gymnamoebae and Archamoebae are free-living or parasitic amoebae.
What life cycle feature distinguishes Oomycetes from true fungi?
Haploid-dominant stage with zygotic meiosis
Alternation of three multicellular generations
Diploid-dominant vegetative stage with gametic meiosis
Diplontic life cycle without spores
Oomycetes maintain a diploid vegetative thallus and undergo gametic meiosis to produce haploid gametes, unlike true fungi, which often have haploid-dominant stages and zygotic or sporic meiosis.
What is stomatogenesis in ciliates?
Formation of new oral structures during cell division
Contractile vacuole development
Sporulation process
Symbiotic algae acquisition
Stomatogenesis is the process by which ciliates develop a new oral apparatus for daughter cells during binary fission, involving complex reorganizations of ciliary and membranellar structures.
How does the infraciliature of oligotrich ciliates differ from that of hypotrich ciliates?
There is no difference in infraciliature
Oligotrichs have abundant cirri for crawling
Oligotrichs possess trichocysts instead of cilia
Oligotrichs have reduced somatic kineties and specialized girdle membranelles
Oligotrich ciliates display a simplified infraciliature with fewer somatic kineties and prominent girdle membranelles, whereas hypotrichs have elaborate cirri and multiple ventral kineties for crawling.
Which molecular evidence supports the monophyly of Alveolata?
Presence of chitin synthase genes
Unique chlorophyll pigments
Conserved alveolin proteins and SSU rRNA phylogeny
Mitochondrial genome absence
Alveolata monophyly is supported by the presence of alveolin family proteins in cortical alveoli and phylogenetic analyses of SSU rRNA sequences. Chitin synthase is fungal, and other options are not diagnostic.
What is the role of epiplasm in the cortex of Paramecium?
Generates ciliary movement
Stores food vacuoles
Synthesizes ATP
Provides cortical rigidity and anchorage for cortex proteins
Epiplasm is a layer of fibrous proteins beneath the pellicle in Paramecium that confers mechanical support and organizes cortical structures like basal bodies. It is not involved in digestion, motility generation, or energy production.
What is the spongiome in hypotrich ciliates' contractile vacuole system?
Archaic nuclear remnants
Protein rods reinforcing the pellicle
Type of trichocyst organelle
A network of membrane-bound canals surrounding the contractile vacuole
The spongiome is a system of membrane-bound canals and tubules connected to the contractile vacuole in hypotrich ciliates, facilitating water transport. It is distinct from cortical proteins and extrusomes.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Ciliated Protists -

    Learn to recognize a protist with cilia by examining their structure and motility patterns in microscopic images.

  2. Differentiate Fungi and Protists -

    Compare key characteristics of fungi vs protists to accurately distinguish between these two groups of eukaryotes.

  3. Recognize Fungus-Like Protists -

    Pinpoint examples of a fungus like protist by exploring their life cycles and ecological roles.

  4. Categorize Protist Types -

    Analyze defining traits to sort various types of protists into groups based on nutrition, movement, and habitat.

  5. Apply Knowledge Through Quiz Questions -

    Use your understanding of protist examples to confidently answer quiz prompts and reinforce your biology skills.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Understanding Ciliate Structure -

    Protist with cilia like Paramecium are covered in rows of tiny hair-like organelles that beat in coordinated waves to propel the cell and funnel food into its oral groove. Cilia are made of microtubules in a "9+2" arrangement, letting these protist examples swim with surprising speed (University of California, Berkeley). Remember "9+2" for nine pairs of microtubules around two central ones to visualize their internal framework.

  2. Classification of Protists -

    Protists are grouped into four main types of protists: ciliates (Ciliophora), flagellates (Mastigophora), amoeboids (Sarcodina), and photosynthetic algae. This outline from the Smithsonian Institution helps you recall by linking movement type or nutrition mode to each category. Try a simple table in your notes: Movement - Cilia/Flagella/Pseudopods; Energy - Autotroph/Heterotroph.

  3. Example of a Fungus-Like Protist -

    An example of a fungus like protist is the water mold Phytophthora infestans, famous for causing the Irish potato famine (Ohio State University). Slime molds, another fungus-like protist, exhibit multicellular behavior under stress, forming spore-bearing stalks in a process echoing fungal life cycles. Use the mnemonic "Wet Slime" to link water molds and slime molds to moisture-loving lifestyles.

  4. Fungi vs Protists: Key Differences -

    In fungi vs protists comparisons, remember that true fungi have chitin cell walls and absorb nutrients through external digestion, while most protists lack chitin and ingest food internally or via photosynthesis (National Institutes of Health). Fungal hyphae form networks called mycelia, but protist filaments - like in some algae - don't create the same tissue-like structures. Focus on cell wall chemistry and feeding strategy to distinguish them.

  5. Protist Examples Memory Trick -

    To recall diverse protist examples, use the acronym "CAFÉ": Ciliates, Amoeboids, Flagellates, and Euglenoids. Anchoring each letter to a well-known genus - Paramecium (C), Amoeba (A), Trypanosoma (F), Euglena (E) - cements the types of protists in your mind (University of Texas). Flashcards with genus images and movement styles boost retention during last-minute reviews.

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