Protozoa are:

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Protozoa are:

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Let’s examine each option in turn to see what it says about protozoa and how that aligns with the biological understanding of protozoa.

Option a: 'Eukaryotic organisms that possess a nucleus and intracellular structures. They are important for the decomposition of organic matter.' This statement starts correctly by describing protozoa as eukaryotic and having a nucleus and intracellular structures, which is true of many single-celled organisms. However, the phrase 'intracellular structures' is vague and not distinctive, and the emphasis on decomposition of organic matter is more characteristic of many heterotrophic microorganisms (including some bacteria and fungi) rather than defining protozoa specifically. The habitat/role described is not uniquely diagnostic for protozoa.

Option b: 'Acellular entities that are composed of a nucleic acid and a few proteins. They are very small and can't be seen with a light microscope.' This describes viruses, not protozoa. Protozoa are cellular and can be seen with light microscopy, and they are not acellular. So this option incorrectly characterizes protozoa.

Option c: 'Eukaryotic, single-celled microscopic organisms. They possess at least one nucleus and numerous intracellular structures.' This captures the core definition of protozoa: they are eukaryotic (contain a nucleus), single-celled organisms, and possess intracellular organelles. The inclusion of 'numerous intracellular structures' reflects the complex internal organization typical of protozoa. This option aligns well with standard textbook definitions.

Option d: 'Single-celled prokaryotic organisms that do not contain a nucleus and lack membrane-enclosed intracellular structures' This describes prokaryotes (like bacteria and archaea), not protozoa. Protozoa are eukaryotic and have membrane-bound organelles, so this option is incorrect for protozoa.

Option e: 'Multicellular, eukaryotic animals. They generally possess digestive, circulatory, nervous, excretory, and reproductive systems.' This describes multicellular animals (metazoa), not protozoa, and protozoa are not multicellular. Therefore this option does not define protozoa.

To recap, option a contains some true elements but is not as precise or diagnostic as option c, option b misidentifies protozoa as acellular viruses, option d wrongly characterizes protozoa as prokaryotic, and option e describes multicellular animals rather than single-celled protozoa. The most accurate, defining description among the choices is option c, which precisely states that protozoa are eukaryotic, single-celled microscopic organisms with at least one nucleus and intracellular structures.

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Protozoa are:

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