Kingdom Protista - Info sheet

Kingdom Protista is a fascinating and diverse category of organisms that includes many different types that vary in size, shape, feeding habits, and modes of movement. Within this kingdom, one can find the Protozoa group, which is notable for its members' role in causing diseases, including the Plasmodium species which is responsible for the majority of malaria cases. This prompts questions about the classification and grouping of living things, and how organisms within the five kingdoms - animals, plants, monera, protista, and fungi - are understood and differentiated.

Another intriguing group within the Kingdom Protista is the Algae. These organisms are most commonly found in water or on moist surfaces such as soil, wood, and rocks. Their structural and size diversity is remarkable, ranging from microscopic forms to the enormous 60-metre-long kelps that inhabit the sea. This diversity again highlights the broader questions of how living organisms are grouped and classified across the five kingdoms. The study of these organisms provides insights into the complexity of life and the myriad forms it takes on our planet.