Protists are a diverse group of eukaryotic microorganisms, which can be unicellular or multicellular. They inhabit various environments and can be free-living or parasitic.
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Protists include organisms such as amoebas, algae, and protozoa.
Protozoan protists can cause gastrointestinal infections like giardiasis and amebiasis.
Protists can reproduce sexually or asexually through binary fission, budding, or spore formation.
Many protists have complex life cycles involving multiple hosts and stages.
Protists play crucial roles in ecosystems, including nutrient cycling and forming the base of many aquatic food webs.
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Related terms
Eukaryote: An organism whose cells contain a nucleus and other organelles enclosed within membranes.