Life

Protista

Protista knowledge

Small but fundamental

Protista are microscopic, mainly unicellular organisms, i.e. consisting of one cell only. Unlike Monera, which have no distinguished nucleus, Protista have a nucleus and this is why they are called eukaryotes. Their genetic material (DNA) is in the nucleus, wrapped in a membrane that separates it from the cytoplasm. Protista are the kingdom with the highest degree of variability, which includes micro-organisms with very different shapes, structures and living conditions. All Protista can reproduce asexually, i.e. they can duplicate without exchanging any genetic material. This is the most frequently used method to increase the number of individuals. But, in case of need, they can recombine their genetic inheritance, i.e. reproduce through “sexed” methods. All Protista have an aerobic metabolism, i.e. they need oxygen to live. They consist of two large groups: autotrophic and heterotrophic protista.