Which pair are examples of animal-like protists?

Which pair are examples of animal-like protists?

• A. Amoeba and Paramecium
• B. Diatoms and Euglenoids
• C. Dinoflagellates and Dinobryon
• D. Spirogyra and Volvox

Answer: (A)

Animal-like protists, or protozoa, are heterotrophs that move to feed on other organisms rather than performing photosynthesis. Amoeba moves by extending its cytoplasm to form pseudopods and engulf prey, while Paramecium uses tiny cilia to swim and sweep food into its oral groove. These feeding and movement methods illustrate animal-like behavior in protists. In contrast, the other groups are primarily photosynthetic algae or mixotrophs, not animal-like in their typical classification, so they don’t fit the idea of animal-like protists.

Animal-like protists, or protozoa, are heterotrophs that move to feed on other organisms rather than performing photosynthesis. Amoeba moves by extending its cytoplasm to form pseudopods and engulf prey, while Paramecium uses tiny cilia to swim and sweep food into its oral groove. These feeding and movement methods illustrate animal-like behavior in protists. In contrast, the other groups are primarily photosynthetic algae or mixotrophs, not animal-like in their typical classification, so they don’t fit the idea of animal-like protists.