Kingdom Protista

Kingdom Protista includes a diverse group of mostly microscopic organisms that don't fit into animals, plants, or fungi categories. They can be single-celled or simple multicellular life forms, such as amebas, algae, and slime molds. Protists are found in aquatic environments and play essential roles like producing oxygen, forming the base of many food chains, and recycling nutrients. They display a variety of modes of movement and nutrition—some eat other organisms, while others make their own food through photosynthesis. Overall, protists are a foundational and diverse group essential to many ecosystems.