How do protists differ from bacteria

Some protists actively ingest food into their cells, while others can make their own food by means of photosynthesis. Photosynthetic protists such as blue green algae are considered as vital primary producers in ecosystem. Protists can be divided into several groups based on the similarities to other higher kingdoms, including protozoa, protophyta, and slime moulds.

The Bacteria are considered as unicellular prokaryotic organisms. Unlike eukaryotes, bacteria cells lack an organized nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplasts and other membrane bounded organelles. Protists are evolved and diverse organisms that belong to the Protista kingdom. They have either a single-celled body or multiple celled body.

Some of the protists have plant-like characteristics, some have fungus -like characteristics and some have animal-like characteristics, thus it becomes difficult to classify them. They have higher cell differentiation. Protists have mitochondria, chloroplasts, nucleus and various other organelles present in them. The genetic material of the protests is surrounded by the nuclear membrane and thus they are classified as Eukaryotes. They gain essential nutrients through photosynthesis or heterotrophic.

Protists are always found in a moist environment. Protists also have an important role in the environment. They help in the supply of oxygen which is essential for all living beings. The two organisms are microscopic organisms.

Bacteria and Protists, both are equally important for the environment and ecosystem. They can produce their own food making them known as producers , or when they depend on other organisms for food they are known as consumers. Some can move with the help of flagella or fimbriae- like structures while others are immotile. Protists are the most diverse organisms and they are very difficult to classify as some of them have plant like, animal like or fungus like characteristics.

They are more evolved than bacteria, thus they show a higher degree of cell structure differentiation. Protists are more complex compared to bacteria. Though both these living organisms have evolved from the same ancestors, there are certain key differences which separate them.

Bacteria are the oldest organisms known to exist on earth. They have organisms which show characteristics similar to animals, plants or fungi. Thus, they further divided into 3 categories i. Bacteria are single-celled organisms and their cell structure is very simple. There is no nucleus which is the chief controller of a cell. The DNA, which is the genetic material, is scattered in the cell.

Since they do not contain a nucleus, they are known as prokaryotic organisms. They do not contain any small specialized smaller organs known as organelles.

They can be rod shaped, spiral, spherical, chain like, etc. Osmotrophs get nutrients from the nearby environment by absorption. Mixotrophs are class of protists which possess plastids and also eat organisms, e. Protists reproduce by binary fission or multiple fission, some protists reproduce sexually but very few. Free-living protists live in watery areas. The conclusion of the above discussion is that Bacteria and Protists are both microscopic organisms but belong to different kingdoms and have their own characteristics features.

Janet White is a writer and blogger for Difference Wiki since She has a master's degree in science and medical journalism from Boston University. Apart from work, she enjoys exercising, reading, and spending time with her friends and family. Janet White. July 23, Previous Post.