A protist or protoctist is any eukaryotic organism that is not an animal, plant, or fungus. Protists do not form a natural group, or clade, but an artificial grouping of several independent clades that evolved from the last eukaryotic common ancestor.   Fungus-like protists include slime molds and water molds. They exist as individual cells or as many cells that form a blob-like colony. They are probably ancestors of fungi. Like fungi, many fungus-like protists are decomposers.     They absorb nutrients from dead logs, compost, and other organic remains.     Slime molds are commonly found... Show more

A protist or protoctist is any eukaryotic organism that is not an animal, plant, or fungus. Protists do not form a natural group, or clade, but an artificial grouping of several independent clades that evolved from the last eukaryotic common ancestor.
 

Fungus-like protists include slime molds and water molds. They exist as individual cells or as many cells that form a blob-like colony. They are probably ancestors of fungi. Like fungi, many fungus-like protists are decomposers.    
They absorb nutrients from dead logs, compost, and other organic remains.    
Slime molds are commonly found on rotting organic matter such as compost. Swarms of cells move very slowly over the surface. They digest and absorb nutrients as they go. One type of slime mold is called “dog vomit” mold because it resembles dog vomit.    
Water molds are commonly found in moist soil and surface water. Many water molds are plant pathogens or fish parasites. One type of water mold infiltrates potatoes and makes them unfit to eat.    

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