Question

Are protists plants?

Answer 1

Protists are a diverse group of organisms. While there are exceptions, they are mostly microscopic and unicellular, or made up of a single cell. Protist cells are highly organized, with a nucleus and specialized cellular machinery known as organelles.

Complete answer:
Any eukaryotic organism that is not an animal, plant, or fungus is considered a protist. While protists are likely to have shared a common ancestor, the absence of other eukaryotes means that protists do not form a natural group, or clade.

Protists are unicellular organisms that can also exist as a colony of cells. The majority of protists live in water, damp terrestrial environments, or as parasites. Protists may have formed a link between plants, animals, and fungi billions of years ago, when these three kingdoms diverged from a common protist-like ancestor.

Characteristics:
- These are usually aquatic and can be found in the soil or in moist areas.
- The majority of protist species are unicellular, but there are a few multicellular protists, such as kelp. -Some kelp species can reach heights of more than 100 feet. (Kelp, Giant)
- These species' cells, like all other eukaryotes, have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
- They can be either autotrophic or heterotrophic. An autotrophic organism can survive by producing its own food. To survive, a heterotrophic organism must obtain nutrition from other organisms such as plants or animals.
- Members of this class exhibit symbiotic behavior.
- Members of this class exhibit symbiotic behavior. For example, kelp (seaweed) is a multicellular protist that protects otters from predators with its thick kelp. In turn, the otters eat sea urchins, which eat kelp.
- Protists exhibit parasitism as well. Trypanosoma protozoa, for example, can cause sleeping sickness in humans.
- Protists move by means of cilia and flagella. Pseudopodia are movement aids found in a few organisms of the kingdom Protista.
- Protist reproduces asexually. Sexual reproduction is extremely rare and only occurs during times of stress.

Note: Protists' Economic Importance
- Protists form the basis of the food chain.
- Protists are symbionts, which means they have a close relationship with another species from which one benefits.
- Some protists produce oxygen, which could be used to make biofuel.
- Protists are the primary food source for many animals.
- Humans harvest Protists in rare cases for food and other industrial applications.
- Whales rely solely on phytoplankton for nutrition.
- Seaweed is a type of alga, which is a plant-like protist.