Protozoa

Protozoa (in Greek protos = first and zoon = animal) are single-celled eukaryotes (organisms with nuclei) that show some characteristics usually associated with animals, most notably mobility and heterotrophy. They are often grouped in the kingdom Protista together with the plant-like algae. In some newer schemes, however, most algae are classified in the kingdoms Plantae and Chromista, and in such cases the remaining forms may be classified as a kingdom Protozoa. The name is misleading, since they are not animals.

Related Topics:
Greek - Celled - Eukaryote - Nuclei - Animal - Mobility - Heterotroph - Protist - Alga - Plant - Chromista

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Protozoa have traditionally been divided on the basis of locomotion, although this is no longer believed to represent genuine relationships:

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• Flagellates
• Amoeboids
• Sporozoans: Apicomplexa, Myxozoa, Microsporidia
• Ciliates

Most protozoans are too small to be seen with the naked eye - most are around 0.01-0.05 mm, although forms up to 0.5 mm are still fairly common - but can easily be found under a microscope. Protozoa are ubiquitous throughout aqueous environments and the soil, and play an important role in their ecology. A few are also important parasites.

Related Topics:
Mm - Parasite

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