Plant-like Protists
Euglena gracilis
Plant-like protists are autotrophic; they can make their own foods. They live in soil, on the barks of trees, in fresh water, and in salt water. Plant-like protists are very important to the earth because they produce an abundant amount of oxygen. They are the basis for the aquatic food chain. These protists are similar to plants. Most are photosynthetic. Some have stem-like structures called stipes and anchoring structures called holdfasts, while plants have actual stems and roots. Many of these protists release their eggs into the environment where the sperm will fertilize the egg. Plants on the other hand will retain the egg in the "parent" plant where it will fertilize. Some examples of plant-like protists are: Euglenoids, Dinoflagellates, Chrysophytes, Green Algae, Red Algae, and Brown Algae.