What is the method of nutrition for protista?

Answer 1

Protists are single-celled organisms and can feed in a number of ways, depending on what type they are. They can either be Photoautotroph (capable of synthesising its own food through photosynthesis), Heterotroph (obtains energy from organic substances produced by other organisms), or Mixotroph (uses a mix of sources of energy).

The ways they can feed are via:

Phagocytosis- The cell engulfs a particle by wrapping a psuedopodia around it and packaging it within a membrane enclosed sac (vesicle). The enclosed particle is digested after the vacuole fuses with a lysosome (containing digestive enzymes). This is how an amoebe feeds.

Pinocytosis- Droplets of extra-cellular fluid that contain dissolved molecules are enclosed in tiny vesicles and transported into the cell. Pinocytosis is non-specific, meaning that this process doesn't care what molecules it picks up.

Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis- Proteins embedded in the membrane with specific receptor sites (will only accept a certain molecule) are exposed to the extracellular fluid. These receptors are usually clustered together at certain points on the membrane called coated pits. The matching specific molecules (ligands) bind to these receptors. When the ligands bind, a vesicle forms around them and they are transported into the cell.

Hopefully I made it understandable. You might have to look up some more definitions and processes to get it, but its so simple once you look at a diagram. :)

Answer 2

tutty