Protista - the four major groups — practice questions

Question 1 · difficulty L1 · recall

Which protistan group includes diatoms?

• A. Chrysophytes
• B. Dinoflagellates
• C. Euglenoids
• D. Slime moulds

Question 2 · difficulty L1 · recall

Which protists possess two flagella and often show cellulose plates on the outer surface?

• A. Dinoflagellates
• B. Chrysophytes
• C. Slime moulds
• D. Amoeboid protozoans

Question 3 · difficulty L2 · understanding

Why are euglenoids described as showing both plant-like and animal-like features?

• A. They are photosynthetic in light but can become heterotrophic when light is absent
• B. They alternate between prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisation
• C. They possess both chitin and cellulose cell walls
• D. They reproduce only by spores and seeds

Question 4 · difficulty L2 · understanding

What feature distinguishes slime moulds from photosynthetic protists during their feeding stage?

• A. They are saprophytic and feed on decaying organic matter
• B. They contain chlorophyll a and b in all stages
• C. They are prokaryotic
• D. They obtain energy only by oxidising ammonia

Question 5 · difficulty L3 · application

A unicellular eukaryote has a flexible pellicle instead of a cell wall and can photosynthesise when illuminated. Which group is the best match?

• A. Euglenoids
• B. Dinoflagellates
• C. Chrysophytes
• D. Slime moulds

Question 6 · difficulty L3 · application

A plankton sample contains organisms with silica-rich walls that leave behind large deposits after death. Which group is indicated?

• A. Diatoms among chrysophytes
• B. Euglenoids
• C. Slime moulds
• D. Ciliated protozoans

Question 7 · difficulty L3 · understanding

Match List-I with List-II: List - I Organisms List - II Mode of Nutrition (A) Euglenoid (I) Parasitic (B) Dinoflagellate (II) Saprophytic (C) Slime mould (III) Photosynthetic (D) Plasmodium (IV) Switching between photosynthetic and heterotrophic mode Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I
• B. A-IV, B-II, C-I, D-III
• C. A-IV, B-III, C-II, D-I
• D. A-IV, B-II, С-III, D-I

Question 8 · difficulty L4 · analysis

An aquatic protist has two flagella, photosynthetic pigments and an outer covering reinforced with cellulose plates. A second protist lacks a cell wall and has a flexible pellicle. Which pairing is correct?

• A. Dinoflagellate and euglenoid
• B. Euglenoid and dinoflagellate
• C. Chrysophyte and slime mould
• D. Slime mould and chrysophyte