Biology / Unit 9 Bio 1993 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Protist Life Cycles
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The idea
Most protists reproduce asexually by binary or multiple fission, but many can switch to sexual reproduction, often triggered by nutrient depletion or environmental stress.
In practice
Paramecium reproduces asexually by fission routinely, but conjugates sexually with a compatible mating type under stress, exchanging haploid nuclei.
Where people slip
Sexual reproduction in protists is often facultative, not constant— many species reserve it for periods when conditions turn unfavorable.
Your place on the trail
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Builds on
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