Which term refers to an animal-like microorganism?

Which term refers to an animal-like microorganism?

• A. Virus
• B. Fungus
• C. Protozoa
• D. Bacteria

Answer: (C)

Animal-like microorganisms are protozoa. They are single-celled eukaryotes that feed by ingesting other organisms or organic matter and move using structures such as pseudopods, cilia, or flagella. This mode of nutrition and locomotion gives them behavior that resembles animals. Protozoa often lack cell walls, which supports their flexible movement and phagocytic feeding. In contrast, viruses are acellular particles that cannot carry out metabolism on their own and must hijack a host cell to reproduce. Fungi are eukaryotes with cell walls of chitin and typically absorb nutrients from their environment, not by ingesting food. Bacteria are prokaryotes with no defined nucleus. Because protozoa display animal-like characteristics in feeding and movement, the term that describes these organisms is protozoa.

Animal-like microorganisms are protozoa. They are single-celled eukaryotes that feed by ingesting other organisms or organic matter and move using structures such as pseudopods, cilia, or flagella. This mode of nutrition and locomotion gives them behavior that resembles animals. Protozoa often lack cell walls, which supports their flexible movement and phagocytic feeding.

In contrast, viruses are acellular particles that cannot carry out metabolism on their own and must hijack a host cell to reproduce. Fungi are eukaryotes with cell walls of chitin and typically absorb nutrients from their environment, not by ingesting food. Bacteria are prokaryotes with no defined nucleus. Because protozoa display animal-like characteristics in feeding and movement, the term that describes these organisms is protozoa.