Chapter 4: Prokaryotes and Protists

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

• Understand how life may have started on Earth through the process of abiogenesis and what early Earth was like.
• Recognize the basic parts of prokaryotic cells and know the differences between Bacteria and Archaea.
• Explore the helpful and harmful roles of prokaryotes in the environment and human health.
• Learn how prokaryotes reproduce and how they can exchange genetic material in different ways.
• Identify the main types of protists, what they look like, and how they live and move.
• Discover how extremophiles and microbial mats help us understand the beginnings and variety of life on Earth.