Chapter 23, Problem 46A

Summary Introduction

To write:

About the environment for protists.

Introduction:

Protists aren't animals, plants, or fungi because they don't have all the requisite characteristics to place them in any of these kingdoms. All protists share one major trait, that is, they are eukaryotes. Many protists reproduce by mitosis asexually while others exchange genetic material during meiosis. These are divided into three classes based on their obtaining nutrients, and they are animal-like protists, plant-like protists, and fungus-like protists.

Explanation of Solution

Protists are usually found in damp or aquatic environments such as decaying leaves, damp soil, ponds, streams, and oceans. Protists also live in symbiotic relationships with other organisms in their environment. Microsporidia are microscopic protozoans that cause insect disease. Protist also lives in the hair of a sloth which is a huge, slow-moving mammal living in tropical rainforests in the uppermost branches of trees.

Conclusion

Therefore, protists are eukaryotic organisms that can live in the aquatic environment and also in damp terrestrial areas. They also form a symbiotic relationship with other organisms.