Protozoan Classification & Nutrition — NEET Biology
📚 Practice ConceptAll protozoans are heterotrophs and live as predators or parasites. They are believed to be primitive relatives of animals. There are four major groups of protozoans.
Match the following protist groups with their distinctive structural features and ecological/nutritional roles: Column I (Protist Group) P. Chrysophytes Q. Euglenoids R. Slime Moulds S. Protozoans Column II (Key Structural Feature) 1. Siliceous cell walls 2. Protein-rich pellicle 3. Aggregation called plasmodium 4. Absence of cell wall, presence of pseudopodia/flagella/cilia Column III (Ecological/Nutritional Role) i. Primarily aquatic, used in polishing and filtration ii. Mixotrophic, possessing pigments similar to higher plants iii. Saprophytic, spores dispersed by air currents iv. Heterotrophic as predators or parasites, primitive relatives of animals Choose the option that correctly matches Column I, Column II, and Column III:
View solution & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: A — P-1-(i), Q-2-(ii), R-3-(iii), S-4-(iv)
This question requires a comprehensive understanding of the structural features and ecological/nutritional roles of various protist groups. P. Chrysophytes: Characterized by siliceous cell walls (1) and their accumulated deposits are used in polishing and filtration (i). They are also chief producers in oceans. Q. Euglenoids: Possess a protein-rich pellicle instead of a cell wall (2) and are known for their mixotrophic nutrition, with pigments identical to higher plants (ii). R. Slime Moulds: Form an aggregation called plasmodium under suitable conditions (3) and are saprophytic protists whose spores are dispersed by air currents (iii). S. Protozoans: Lack a cell wall and move using pseudopodia, flagella, or cilia (4). They are heterotrophic, living as predators or parasites, and are considered primitive relatives of animals (iv). Therefore, the correct combination is P-1-(i), Q-2-(ii), R-3-(iii), S-4-(iv).
What does NCERT say about All protozoans are heterotrophs?
Has this concept appeared in NEET?
Which chapter is this from?
Through deep analysis of NEET and NTA, 88 of 90 questions from the NEET 2026 paper were matched straight from the MedicNEET Biology question bank.
88/90MedicNEET's Biology question bank is built from the same NCERT lines NTA picks repeatedly. Not random MCQs — questions crafted exactly like NTA crafts them.