Question

Which one is a saprophytic protist
A)Desmid
B)Nostoc
C)Slime Mould
D)Gonyaulax

Answer 1

Hint: Sludge molds are termed as the saprophytic protists. The body shows movement along rotting twigs and leaves immersing natural material. Under reasonable conditions, they give rise to a collection of structures called Plasmodium which may develop and spread more than a few feet.

Complete answer:
The organisms that are present in Protista represent diverse ways of life. Many of them are photosynthetic autotrophs, for example, unicellular coloured algae and diatoms. They are collectively termed as phytoplankton or microscopic, floating microorganisms. Many of these protists show the presence of cell walls and some of them have flagella. Few Protista organisms are predatory and they obtain nourishment on feeding upon other protists. They are present in protozoa and they lack a cell wall.

Now let us find solution from given options:
A)Desmid : Desmids are also called Chrysophytes.They show a heterotrophic mode of nutrition.
B)Nostoc : it fixes nitrogen in the cells of bacteria so show heterotrophic or predatory mode of nutrition.
C)Slime Mould : These organisms lack chlorophyll and are saprophytic in nature
D)Gonyaulax : Gonyaulax belongs to Dinoflagellates. They have fucoxanthin in addition to chlorophyll so they show autotrophic nutrition.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C)

Note: The single cells of protists play a role in all the functions like growth, reproduction, maintaining homeostasis, etc. and for this they require energy that they obtain from food. They have both plant and animal like features.