Question

What do protists eat?

Answer 1

Protists: These are eukaryotic, single-celled organisms.

Modes of Nutrition in Protists:

1. Photosynthetic (Holophytic):

1. Organisms are capable of preparing their food from CO₂ and water by utilizing sunlight with the help of photosynthetic pigments like chloro­phyll via photosynthesis.
2. Examples: Dinoflagellates, diatoms, and euglenoids.

2. Holozoic or Zoo-Trophic (Ingestive, Phagotrophic):

1. The organism cap­tures and ingests the food like animals.
2. Example: Amoeba and Paramecium.

3. Saprobic or Saprotrophic:

1. Organism releases enzymes into the surroundings which convert organic matter into simpler products.
2. These prod­ucts are then readily absorbed through the body surface of the organism.
3. Example: slime moulds.

4. Parasitic:

1. Some protists get their food from the body of other organisms.
2. The individual deriving its food is known as a parasite and the organism from which parasite gets food is known as host.
3. Example: Trypanosoma, Giardia, Entamoeba.