What protists are autotrophs?

Autotrophic protists are single-celled organisms that can produce their own food using photosynthesis. They include several groups:

Euglenoids (Euglenophytes): These protists have chloroplasts and can perform photosynthesis, but they can also feed heterotrophically when necessary.

Diatoms: Diatoms are a major group of algae known for their intricate silica cell walls. They are primary producers in aquatic ecosystems.

Dinoflagellates: Many dinoflagellates are photosynthetic and contain chloroplasts. They are important primary producers in marine environments.

Green Algae: Various groups of green algae, such as Chlamydomonas and Spirogyra, are autotrophic and closely related to land plants.

Red Algae: Red algae are mostly multicellular, but some unicellular forms are autotrophic and play important roles in marine ecosystems.

These autotrophic protists are crucial in aquatic ecosystems as primary producers, contributing significantly to global oxygen production and serving as foundational organisms in food webs.