Euglenozoa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Euglenozoa |
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Euglenozoa
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Euglenoidea
Kinetoplastea |
The Euglenozoa are a large phylum of single-celled creatures. They are too small to see without a microscope. Most euglenozoa are 15–40 µm in size, although some euglenids get up to 500 µm long. There are two main subgroups, the euglenids and kinetoplastids.
Characteristics
Many euglenozoa are like plants in the way they "eat." They are autotrophic, which means they make their own food. They have chloroplasts so they can get their energy (food) through photosynthesis. However, other euglenozoa share some characteristics with animals like being heterotrophic, which means they cannot produce food. Usually, they eat bacteria. A few are parasites.
Another characteristic they share with animals is that they are mobile, which means they can move on their own. They use their flagellum to propel themselves.
Unlike animals, euglenozoa reproduce only by cell division called mitosis. Mitosis produces 4-8 cells, each with its own flagellum.
Classification
Most scientists believe euglenozoa are monophyletic, which means they come from one common ancestor and its descendants. They are related to the Percolozoa. Some scientists believe euglenozoa and percolozoa belong to a larger group of eukaryotes called the Excavata.
The major difference between euglenids and kinetoplastids is that the euglenids have plastids and the kinetoplastids do not.
Interesting facts about euglenozoa
- Euglenozoa have characteristics of both plants and animals.
- Most euglenozoa have two flagella.
- Euglenids live in fresh and salt water.
- Because they have chloroplasts, euglena's color is bright green.
- Euglena’s chloroplasts are unique because they are surrounded by three membranes, while those of plants have only two membranes.
- Kinetoplastids can cause disease in humans.
- Many kinetoplastids settle on various organic surfaces, such as feces and composts.
See also
In Spanish: Euglenozoa para niños
