You searched for: “protozoa
Protozoa (proper noun)
Formerly, the name of an animal phylum comprising a large, diverse assortment of microscopic or near-microscopic one-celled heterotrophic organisms: The Protozoa is the subkingdom which comprises all unicellular animals (by some regarded as non-cellular).

Included in the group are some which may also be classified as plants, the distinction being that these possess chlorophyll.

protozoan (s) (noun), protozoa; protozoans (pl)
A one-celled microscopic animal included in the kingdom of Protista: A protozoan can be a flagellate, ciliate, sporozoan or amoeba.

A protozoan can be any of a diverse group of eukaryotes (organisms composed of one or more cells, each of which contains a clearly defined nucleus enclosed by a membrane, along with organelles [small, self-contained, cellular parts that perform specific functions]), of the kingdom Protista, that are primarily unicellular, existing singly or aggregating in colonies, are usually nonphotosynthetic, and are often classified further into phyla according to their capacity for and means of motility, as by pseudopods, flagella, or cilia.

protozoon (s) (noun), protozoa (pl)
A unicellular or non-cellular animal organism: The protozoon, or protozoan, is one of the primitive forms of animal life, and being a protist or eukaryote, is not a fungus, plant or animal, and it feeds by the way of heterotrophy.
(Greek: auger, borer; parasitic protozoa)
Word Entries at Get Words: “protozoa
Phylum 01, Protozoa
The Protozoa (Greek, first critters)
Are short, or long, or round like fritters;
They go through life with but one cell
And seem to manage very well.

Protozoa exist throughout aqueous environments and soil, occupying a range of trophic (nutritional) levels. As predators, they prey upon unicellular or filamentous algae, bacteria, and microfungi.

Protozoa play a role as both herbivores and consumers in the decomposer link of the food chain.

Protozoa also play a vital role in controlling bacteria populations and biomass and they may absorb food via their cell membranes, some; for example, amoebas, surround food and engulf it, and yet others have openings or "mouth pores" into which they sweep food.

All protozoa digest their food in stomach-like compartments called vacuoles.


This entry is located in the following unit: Zoology Phyla in Poetic Rhyming + (page 1)