protists
Neither plant nor animal
Protists are a diverse group of mostly microscopic organisms that don't fit neatly into the animal, plant, or fungus categories.
They include amoebas, algae, and the parasites that cause malaria.
Most are single-celled, though some form colonies or multicellular structures.
The term serves as a catch-all in biology for eukaryotic organisms that aren't clearly something else, making it more of a convenient label than a natural grouping.
Single-celled eukaryotic organisms
- taxonomyScience of categorical arrangement
- kingdomMonarch's ruled territory
- phylogenyEvolutionary relationships among organisms
- microscopicToo small for eyes
Shape-shifting single-celled organism
- parameciumCiliated slipper-shaped protozoan
- euglenaPlant-animal hybrid microbe
- diatomsSingle-celled silica algae
- flagellatesWhips harshly, often ritually
giardia · plasmodium · volvox · vorticella · toxoplasma · cryptosporidium · entamoeba · chlamydomonas
One cell only
- eukaryoticHaving organized nuclear membrane
- nucleusCentral controlling part
- mitochondriaCell's energy-producing organelles
- organellesSpecialized cell subunits
cytoplasm · membrane · cilia · flagella · vacuole · chloroplast · eyespot · pellicle
Drifting marine microlife
- phytoplanktonPhotosynthetic aquatic drifters
- zooplanktonDrifting aquatic microorganisms
- algaePrimitive aquatic photosynthesizers
- kelpLarge brown marine algae
seaweed · pond · freshwater · marine · tidepool · estuary · benthic · reef
protozoa
Single-celled eukaryotic organisms
amoeba
Shape-shifting single-celled organism
- parameciumCiliated slipper-shaped protozoan
- euglenaPlant-animal hybrid microbe
- diatomsSingle-celled silica algae
flagellates · giardia · plasmodium · volvox · vorticella · toxoplasma · cryptosporidium · entamoeba · chlamydomonas
unicellular
One cell only
- eukaryoticHaving organized nuclear membrane
- nucleusCentral controlling part
- mitochondriaCell's energy-producing organelles
organelles · cytoplasm · membrane · cilia · flagella · vacuole · chloroplast · eyespot · pellicle · cytoskeleton
plankton
Drifting marine microlife
- phytoplanktonPhotosynthetic aquatic drifters
- zooplanktonDrifting aquatic microorganisms
- algaePrimitive aquatic photosynthesizers
kelp · seaweed · pond · freshwater · marine · tidepool · estuary · benthic · reef · bloom
decomposer
Organism breaking down corpses
parasite · pathogen · photosynthesis · microbiome · ecosystem
- biologycells, DNA, cell, biology, gene
- life formsorganisms, organism, lifeforms, animal, creatures
- living thingsplants, animals, animal, creature, birds
- organismsplants, animals, human, dog, fungi
- cellscells, blood cell, cell theory, nerve cell, red blood cell
- Cladesmammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects