protists Relatively simple, unicellular eukaryotic organisms that are distinct from animals, plants, and fungi yet similar enough that protists are believed to have paved the way for the evolution of early plants, animals, and fungi. Protists, of which about 200,000 species have been named, form their own kingdom, Protista. They fall into three major categories (or four if the slime molds and water molds are counted separately):
Animal-like protists These are the protozoa and include the following phyla:
Plant-like protists These include the single-celled and colonial algae. Fungi-like protists These include the slime molds (plasmodial and cellular varieties) and the water molds. Related category • MICROBIOLOGY Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) |