protozoa

Also known as protozoans

right|thumb|upright=1.5|Clockwise from top left: Blepharisma japonicum, a [[ciliate; Giardia muris, a parasitic flagellate; Centropyxis aculeata, a testate (shelled) amoeba; Peridinium willei, a dinoflagellate; Chaos carolinense, a naked amoebozoan; Desmarella moniliformis, a choanoflagellate]]

AI overview

Protozoa are single-celled organisms that come in various forms, including ciliates, flagellates, amoebas, and dinoflagellates, as shown by the diverse examples of species like *Blepharisma japonicum* and *Giardia muris*. They matter because some, like the parasitic *Giardia muris*, can affect other organisms, while others play important roles in aquatic ecosystems and biological processes.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Wikidata facts

Image: Leishmania tropica 7.jpg

Show 3 more facts

taxon name: Protozoa
taxon common name: protistriket
Commons category: Protista

Sources (5)

via Wikidata · CC0

~22 min read

Article

19 sections

Contents

History of classification
Phylogenetic distribution
Characteristics
Reproduction
Size
Habitat
Feeding
Motility
Walls, pellicles, scales, and skeletons
Life cycle
Aging
Ecology
Free-living
Parasitism
Commensalism
Mutualism
References
Bibliography
External links

Protozoa (: protozoan or protozoon; alternative plural: protozoans) are a polyphyletic group of single-celled eukaryotes, either free-living or parasitic, that feed on organic matter such as other microorganisms or organic debris. Historically, protozoans were regarded as "one-celled animals".