A particular species of protist lacks the ability to engulf food and does not contain chloroplasts. However, gene sequencing data indicate that this species evolved from a lineage containing many species with the ability to engulf food. What does this information suggest about this species of protist?
A) It is likely aquatic.
B) It is likely parasitic.
C) It probably reproduces asexually.
D) It probably eats bacteria.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that this protist evolved from a lineage containing many species with the ability to engulf food suggests that it likely lost this ability due to becoming parasitic and obtaining nutrients from its host rather than ingesting food.

A Particular Species of Protist Lacks the Ability to Engulf