Protistan (Noun)
Meaning
Free-living or colonial organisms with diverse nutritional and reproductive modes.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- Protistan organisms are incredibly diverse, ranging from single-celled amoebas to complex colonial forms like slime molds.
- The protistan group includes many free-living organisms that are capable of photosynthesis, such as certain types of algae.
- Some protistans are parasitic, while others are saprotrophic, obtaining nutrients by breaking down dead organic matter.
- Protistans can be found in almost every environment on Earth, from the freezing tundra to the hottest deserts.
- The study of protistans has led to a greater understanding of the evolution of complex life forms and the development of new nutritional and reproductive strategies.