PROTOZOANS

Protozoans is the most interesting groups of living creatures. Protozoa

from the Greek words, proto has meaning first, and zoa has meaning
animals, so singular protozoon or also protozoan are a diverse group of
single-cell eukaryotic organisms, many of which are motile. Throughout
history, protozoa have been defined as single-cell protists with animal-like
behavior, e.g., movement.
In general, protozoans are referred to as animal-like protists because of
movement. However, both protozoa and protists are paraphyletic groups (not
including all genetic relatives of the group). For example, Entamoeba is more
closely related to humans than to Euglena. "Protozoa" is considered an
outdated classification in more formal contexts. However, the term is still
used in children's education.
Characteristics
1. The most important protozoans range usually from 10 to 52
micrometers, but can grow as large as 1 mm, and are seen easily by
microscope.
2. They were considered formerly to be part of the protista family.
Protozoa exist throughout aqueous environments and soil, occupying a
range of trophic levels.Motility and digestion
3. Tulodens are one of the slow-moving form of protozoans.
4. Protozoa may absorb food via their cell membranes.
Ecological role
Protozoa are an important food source for microinvertebrates. Thus,
the ecological role of protozoa in the transfer of bacterial and algal
production to successive trophic levels is important. As predators, they prey
upon unicellular or filamentous algae, bacteria, and microfungi. Protozoa are
both herbivores and consumers in the decomposer link of the food chain.
protozoa can survive harsh conditions, such as exposure to extreme
temperatures or harmful chemicals, or long periods without access to
nutrients, water, or oxygen for a period of time. Protozoa can reproduce by
binary fission or multiple fission. Some protozoa reproduce sexually, some
asexually, while some use a combination, (e.g., Coccidia). An individual
protozoon is hermaphroditic.

Classification
Protozoa were previously often grouped in the kingdom of Protista,
together with the plant-like algae and fungus-like slime molds. As a result of
21st-century systematics, protozoa, along with ciliates, mastigophorans, and
apicomplexans, are arranged as animal-like protists. With the possible
exception of Myxozoa, protozoa are not categorized as Metazoa.
Protozoa have been divided traditionally on the basis of their means of
locomotion, although this character is no longer believed to represent
genuine relationships:
* Flagellates (e.g., Giardia lamblia)
* Amoeboids (e.g., Entamoeba histolytica)
* Sporozoans (e.g., Plasmodium knowlesi)
o Apicomplexa
o Myxozoa
o Microsporidia
Some protozoa are human parasites, causing diseases.
For Examples of human diseases caused by protozoa:
* Malaria
* Amoebiasis
* Giardiasis
* Toxoplasmosis
* Cryptosporidiosis
* Trichomoniasis
* Leishmaniasis
* Sleeping Sickness
* Dysentery