Question

Besides the flagellary movement, euglenoids can also perform special movement by membrane undulations, called as "euglenoid movement". Euglenoids are included in

• A. Monera
• B. Metazoa
• C. Metaphyta
• D. Protista

Answer 1

The correct option is D Protista

The non progressive movement of protoplasm of euglenoids, facilitated by their cell wall deficient elastic body and anterior flagella, is termed as euglenoid movement. Monera includes all prokaryotic organisms with rigid cell wall and do not exhibit euglenoid movement.

Metazoans are multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, placed under kingdom Animalia and have posterior flagella thus no euglenoid movement.

Metaphyta includes multicellular autotrophic organisms with cell wall and thus they do not exhibit protoplasmic movement.

Protist includes unicellular flagellated/non flagellated eukaryotes. Presence of pellicle with interlocking protein strips locomotion by undulation of terminal flagellum and protoplasmic movement make euglenoids similar to certain protozoan species. Hence, they are placed under kingdom Protista.