What term describes the "animal-like" protists that ingest food for nutrition?

The term that describes the "animal-like" protists that ingest food for nutrition is protozoans. Protozoans are a diverse group of unicellular eukaryotic organisms that exhibit animal-like behaviors, such as movement and the ability to consume organic matter, including bacteria, algae, or other protozoans. They are heterotrophic, meaning they obtain their energy and nutrients by ingesting or absorbing food, which distinguishes them from other types of protists that may be autotrophic (producing their own food through photosynthesis) or have different modes of nutrition.

Protozoans can utilize various methods to ingest their food, such as through phagocytosis, where they envelop their food source with their cell membrane and form a food vacuole. Many protozoans also display significant diversity in locomotion, which allows them to reach food sources effectively.

In contrast, other terms provided have more specific meanings or refer to broader categories of organisms. Pseudopodia relates to a mode of movement and feeding used by some protozoans, particularly those in the group known as amoebas, but it does not encompass all animal-like protists. The term protists is a broader classification that includes protozoans, as well as