Protists are a diverse group of eukaryotic microorganisms that are primarily unicellular, though some can be multicellular. They belong to the kingdom Protista and include organisms such as algae, amoebas, and protozoa. Protists can be autotrophic, like many algae that perform photosynthesis, or heterotrophic, like protozoa that consume other organisms. They play crucial roles in ecosystems, particularly in aquatic environments, where they serve as primary producers and as a food source for various organisms.