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The diversity of protists encompasses eukaryotic microorganisms that play crucial ecological roles and impact human health. These organisms, often unicellular, exhibit complex cellular structures with specialized organelles and engage in various nutritional strategies. Protists contribute to biodiversity, form the basis of food webs, and can cause diseases like malaria and sleeping sickness. Their classification reflects a broad evolutionary history, making them key to understanding eukaryotic life.
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Protists have complex cellular structures with a nucleus and specialized organelles
Heterotrophic
Some protists obtain nutrients by consuming other organisms
Autotrophic
Some protists can produce their own food through photosynthesis
Mixotrophic
Some protists have a combination of heterotrophic and autotrophic nutritional strategies
Protists can reproduce both sexually and asexually
Protists contribute significantly to biodiversity and play a role in nutrient cycling through decomposition
Protists form the basis of many food webs, especially in aquatic systems
Protists are utilized in various biotechnological applications
Protozoa are subdivided into groups such as Sarcomastigophora, Apicomplexa, and Ciliophora
Algae are classified based on their pigmentation, type of chlorophyll, and cell wall composition
Fungus-like protists include slime molds and water molds and perform a similar ecological role to fungi as decomposers
Some protists, such as Plasmodium and Trypanosoma brucei, can cause diseases in humans and other animals
The complex life cycles of pathogenic protists present challenges for treatment and control