Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Kingdom Protista?
(a) Unicellular organisation
(b) Prokaryotic nature
(c) Presence of membrane-bound organelles
(d) Sexual and asexual reproduction
The locomotory organ in Amoeba is:
(a) Flagella
(b) Cilia
(c) Pseudopodia
(d) Tentacles
Which of the following groups of Protista includes diatoms?
(a) Chrysophytes
(b) Dinoflagellates
(c) Euglenoids
(d) Protozoans
4.Red tide is caused by:
(a) Euglena
(b) Gonyaulax
(c) Plasmodium
(d) Trypanosoma
5. Which of the following protists possess both plant-like and animal-like characteristics?
(a) Amoeba
(b) Paramecium
(c) Euglena
(d) Plasmodium
6. The disease malaria is caused by:
(a) Plasmodium
(b) Trypanosoma
(c) Entamoeba
(d) Giardia
7. In which type of protists do silica-rich cell walls form two overlapping halves like a soapbox?
(a) Dinoflagellates
(b) Chrysophytes
(c) Protozoans
(d) Euglenoids
8. Which of the following statements is false about dinoflagellates?
(a) They have two flagella
(b) They are mostly photosynthetic
(c) Their cell wall contains silica
(d) Some produce bioluminescence
The slime molds are characterised by:
(a) Having chitin in cell walls
(b) Being prokaryotic
(c) Having plasmodial or cellular forms
(d) Presence of flagella
The vector for the disease sleeping sickness is:
(a) Housefly
(b) Anopheles mosquito
(c) Tse-tse fly
(d) Sand fly
Most Important Mcqs on Kingdom Protista
11. Which of the following is not a protozoan group?
(a) Ciliates
(b) Sporozoans
(c) Chrysophytes
(d) Flagellates
Which pigment is present in golden algae (Chrysophytes)?
(a) Chlorophyll a and b
(b) Phycobilins
(c) Fucoxanthin
(d) Carotenoids
Paramecium moves with the help of:
(a) Pseudopodia
(b) Flagella
(c) Cilia
(d) Tentacles
The pellicle in Euglena provides:
(a) Photosynthetic ability
(b) Structural support and flexibility
(c) Protection against predators
(d) A means for locomotion
Which stage of Plasmodium enters the human bloodstream through a mosquito bite?
(a) Sporozoite
(b) Merozoite
(c) Trophozoite
(d) Gametocyte
In which of the following Protista is a groove-like structure present for feeding?
(a) Amoeba
(b) Paramecium
(c) Euglena
(d) Plasmodium
Dinoflagellates show bioluminescence due to:
(a) Chlorophyll pigments
(b) Presence of luciferase enzyme
(c) Absorption of light energy
(d) Silica deposition
The primary function of contractile vacuole in freshwater protists is:
(a) Digestion
(b) Excretion
(c) Osmoregulation
(d) Locomotion
What is the main mode of nutrition in slime molds?
(a) Photosynthesis
(b) Phagocytosis
(c) Saprophytic
(d) Parasitic
Which of the following statements about Protista is incorrect?
(a) All protists are unicellular
(b) Protists can be autotrophic or heterotrophic
(c) Some protists reproduce by binary fission
(d) Protists are eukaryotic
21. Which of the following Protista reproduces mainly by binary fission?
(a) Plasmodium
(b) Paramecium
(c) Amoeba
(d) All of the above
22. Which of the following Protista is known as the “primitive fungi”?
(a) Slime molds
(b) Diatoms
(c) Dinoflagellates
(d) Ciliates
23. Which protist can survive both in water and on land (moist conditions)?
(a) Paramecium
(b) Plasmodium
(c) Slime molds
(d) Euglena
24. Which of the following is NOT a mode of locomotion in protozoans?
(a) Cilia
(b) Pseudopodia
(c) Flagella
(d) Pili
25. Which of the following statements is correct about diatoms?
(a) They have a cellulose cell wall
(b) They are the main producers in marine ecosystems
(c) They are heterotrophic organisms
(d) They move using cilia
26. The characteristic feature of dinoflagellates is:
(a) Two flagella present in grooves
(b) Silica shells
(c) Lack of nucleus
(d) Presence of contractile vacuole
27. Which of the following protists has both flagella and chloroplasts?
(a) Amoeba
(b) Euglena
(c) Paramecium
(d) Plasmodium
28. What is the major component of diatom cell walls?
(a) Cellulose
(b) Chitin
(c) Silica
(d) Calcium carbonate
29. The organism responsible for amoebic dysentery is:
(a) Plasmodium
(b) Trypanosoma
(c) Entamoeba histolytica
(d) Giardia
30. Which of the following is a sporozoan?
(a) Plasmodium
(b) Trypanosoma
(c) Paramecium
(d) Amoeba
31. Which Protista causes sleeping sickness?
(a) Plasmodium
(b) Trypanosoma
(c) Entamoeba
(d) Giardia
32. Which of the following is a characteristic of Euglenoids?
(a) They lack a cell wall
(b) They always depend on photosynthesis
(c) They reproduce sexually
(d) They have silica shells
33. Which of the following protists is responsible for African sleeping sickness?
(a) Entamoeba
(b) Trypanosoma
(c) Plasmodium
(d) Giardia
34. Which protist moves using cilia?
(a) Amoeba
(b) Paramecium
(c) Euglena
(d) Plasmodium
34. Which protist moves using cilia?
(a) Amoeba
(b) Paramecium
(c) Euglena
(d) Plasmodium
35. What is the function of the micronucleus in Paramecium?
(a) Controlling daily activities
(b) Digestion
(c) Reproduction
(d) Locomotion
36. Which of the following causes red tides?
(a) Diatoms
(b) Dinoflagellates
(c) Euglenoids
(d) Slime molds
37. Which of the following protists are used in forensic investigations?
(a) Dinoflagellates
(b) Diatoms
(c) Amoebas
(d) Slime molds
38. The disease giardiasis is caused by:
(a) Plasmodium
(b) Giardia
(c) Entamoeba
(d) Trypanosoma
39. The reserve food material in diatoms is:
(a) Starch
(b) Glycogen
(c) Chrysolaminarin
(d) Cellulose
40. The term “golden algae” refers to:
(a) Dinoflagellates
(b) Euglenoids
(c) Diatoms
(d) Chrysophytes
41. Which of the following is a characteristic of protozoans?
(a) They are always autotrophic
(b) They lack a nucleus
(c) They are heterotrophic and motile
(d) They have a silica shell
42. Which of the following protists has both a macronucleus and a micronucleus?
(a) Euglena
(b) Plasmodium
(c) Paramecium
(d) Amoeba
43. Which of the following protists is known for causing fish-killing blooms?
(a) Paramecium
(b) Dinoflagellates
(c) Slime molds
(d) Diatoms
44. How do slime molds reproduce?
(a) By binary fission
(b) By forming spores
(c) By budding
(d) By conjugation
45. Which protist can perform photosynthesis and also act as a heterotroph when light is unavailable?
(a) Amoeba
(b) Euglena
(c) Paramecium
(d) Plasmodium
46. Which of the following groups of protists includes Plasmodium?
(a) Ciliates
(b) Flagellates
(c) Sporozoans
(d) Chrysophytes
47. What is the primary mode of locomotion in Trypanosoma?
(a) Cilia
(b) Flagella
(c) Pseudopodia
(d) Sessile (non-motile)
49. Which of the following is an acellular (plasmodial) slime mold?
(a) Physarum
(b) Paramecium
(c) Amoeba
(d) Trypanosoma
50. Which of the following protists plays a major role in the carbon cycle by forming a large part of phytoplankton?
(a) Amoeba
(b) Diatoms
(c) Slime molds
(d) Trypanosoma
Answer Key with Explanations
1. (b) Prokaryotic nature
Explanation: Protists are eukaryotic, meaning they have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, unlike prokaryotes (bacteria).
2. (c) Pseudopodia
Explanation: Amoeba moves using pseudopodia, which are temporary extensions of the cytoplasm.
3. (a) Chrysophytes
Explanation: Diatoms and desmids belong to chrysophytes, a group of photosynthetic protists
4. (b) Gonyaulax
Explanation: Certain dinoflagellates, like Gonyaulax, produce toxins that cause red tide, leading to fish mortality.
5. (c) Euglena
Explanation: Euglena can perform photosynthesis like plants but can also ingest food like animals when light is unavailable.
6. (a) Plasmodium
Explanation: Plasmodium, a sporozoan, causes malaria and is transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes.
7. (b) Chrysophytes
Explanation: Diatoms have silica-rich cell walls and belong to chrysophytes. Their walls form two halves, fitting like a soapbox.
8. (c) Their cell wall contains silica
Explanation: Unlike diatoms, dinoflagellates do not have silica-rich cell walls. Their cell wall is made of cellulose plates.
9. (c) Having plasmodial or cellular forms
Explanation: Slime molds exist in plasmodial (multinucleate mass) or cellular forms and reproduce by forming spores.
10. (c) Tse-tse fly
Explanation: Trypanosoma (a flagellate protozoan) causes sleeping sickness, which is transmitted by tsetse flies.
11.(c) Chrysophytes
Explanation: Chrysophytes (diatoms and golden algae) are not protozoans; they are plant-like protists.
12. (c) Fucoxanthin
Explanation: Golden algae contain fucoxanthin, a brown pigment that helps in photosynthesis.
13. (c) Cilia
Explanation: Paramecium moves using cilia, which are tiny hair-like projections that beat in coordinated waves.
14. (b) Structural support and flexibility
Explanation: Euglena lacks a cell wall but has a pellicle, a flexible protein layer that provides support and shape.
15. (a) Sporozoite
Explanation: Sporozoites are the infectious stage of Plasmodium that enter human blood through a mosquito bite.
16. (b) Paramecium
Explanation: Paramecium has an oral groove, a specialised structure for food intake through phagocytosis.
17. (b) Presence of luciferase enzyme
Explanation: Bioluminescence in dinoflagellates is caused by the enzyme luciferase, which produces light.
18. (c) Osmoregulation
Explanation: The contractile vacuole in freshwater protists helps maintain water balance by expelling excess water.
19. (c) Saprophytic
Explanation: Slime molds are saprophytic, meaning they feed on dead and decaying organic matter.
20. (a) All protists are unicellular
Explanation: While most protists are unicellular, some, like slime molds and kelps (brown algae), can be multicellular.
21. (d) All of the above
Explanation: Amoeba, Paramecium, and Plasmodium all reproduce asexually through binary fission.
22. (a) Slime molds
Explanation: Slime molds resemble fungi but belong to Protista. They produce spores like fungi.
23. (c) Slime molds
Explanation: Slime molds thrive in moist conditions on decaying organic matter.
24. (d) Pili
Explanation: Pili are found in bacteria, not in protozoans. Protozoans move by cilia, flagella, or pseudopodia.
25. (b) They are the main producers in marine ecosystems
Explanation: Diatoms perform photosynthesis and contribute significantly to oxygen production in oceans.
26. (a) Two flagella present in grooves
Explanation: Dinoflagellates have two flagella—one longitudinal and one transverse.
27. (b) Euglena
Explanation: Euglena has chloroplasts for photosynthesis and a flagellum for movement.
28. (c) Silica
Explanation: Diatom cell walls are made of silica, forming intricate patterns.
29. (c) Entamoeba histolytica
Explanation: Entamoeba histolytica causes amoebic dysentery, leading to severe diarrhea.
30. (a) Plasmodium
Explanation: Plasmodium belongs to sporozoans, a group of non-motile parasites.
31. (b) Trypanosoma
Explanation: Trypanosoma, transmitted by tsetse flies, causes African sleeping sickness.
32. (a) They lack a cell wall
Explanation: Euglenoids have a protein-rich pellicle, instead of a cell wall, providing flexibility.
33. (b) Trypanosoma
Explanation: Trypanosoma brucei causes African sleeping sickness.
34. (b) Paramecium
Explanation: Paramecium moves by cilia, small hair-like structures.
35. (c) Reproduction
Explanation: The micronucleus in Paramecium plays a role in reproduction and genetic exchange.
36. (b) Dinoflagellates
Explanation: Some dinoflagellates, like Gonyaulax, cause red tides, which can be toxic.
37. (b) Diatoms
Explanation: The silica shells of diatoms remain preserved and help forensic experts determine drowning cases.
38. (b) Giardia
Explanation: Giardia causes giardiasis, a disease affecting the intestines, leading to diarrhea.
39. (c) Chrysolaminarin
Explanation: Diatoms store energy in the form of chrysolaminarin, a carbohydrate.
40. (d) Chrysophytes
Explanation: Chrysophytes include golden algae, named due to their yellow-brown pigments.
41. (c) They are heterotrophic and motile
Explanation: Protozoans are unicellular heterotrophs that move using cilia, flagella, or pseudopodia.
42. (c) Paramecium
Explanation: Paramecium has both a macronucleus (controls daily functions) and a micronucleus (involved in reproduction).
43. (b) Dinoflagellates
Explanation: Dinoflagellates like Gonyaulax can form toxic blooms, leading to fish kills.
44. (b) By forming spores
Explanation: Slime molds reproduce by producing spores, which help them survive harsh conditions.
45. (b) Euglena
Explanation: Euglena is mixotrophic, meaning it can perform photosynthesis in light but switch to heterotrophy in darkness.
46. (c) Sporozoans
Explanation: Plasmodium belongs to Sporozoa, a group of non-motile, parasitic protists.
47. (b) Flagella
Explanation: Trypanosoma, the parasite causing sleeping sickness, moves using a single flagellum.
48. (a) Amoeba
Explanation: Amoeba moves using pseudopodia, which are cytoplasmic extensions.
49. (a) Physarum
Explanation: Physarum is a plasmodial slime mold, forming a large multinucleated structure.
50. (b) Diatoms
Explanation: Diatoms are major producers in aquatic ecosystems and play a vital role in the carbon cycle.
