Question

Which of the following statements is consistent with the assertion that protists are paraphyletic?A. Protists do not constitute all of the descendents of the first eukaryote.B. Protists all share a common set of synapomorphies.C. Protists are all more primitive than land plants and animals.D. Protists do not share a single common ancestor.E. All of the above answers apply.

Answer 1

Protists do not constitute all of the descendents of the first eukaryote. (Ans. A)

Step-by-step explanation:

Protists are mainly single celled (unicellular) organisms. However, multicellular entities are also found. They are eukaryotic organisms which are not classified under animailia, plantae, and fungi (mycota) kingdoms.

They are included in single domain however protists developed at least 3 different lines of evolution. All multicellular kingdom arises from different groups of protists. Some general group of protists are listed below:

1) Photosynthetic protists.

2) Heterotrophs having no permanent locomotor.

3) Heterotrophs flagella.

4) Heterotrophs having restricted mobility.

5) Non-motile spore former.