Which type of organism can exhibit both photosynthetic and parasitic properties and belongs to a large group of protists?

Dinoflagellates are a fascinating group of protists known for their dual capabilities of photosynthesis and parasitism. Many dinoflagellates possess chloroplasts, allowing them to carry out photosynthesis and produce energy from sunlight. They play a crucial role in marine ecosystems as primary producers, forming the base of the food web in ocean environments.

Additionally, some dinoflagellates can also adopt a parasitic lifestyle, infecting other organisms, including animals and plants. This dual nature of obtaining energy — leveraging both photosynthetic processes and parasitic relationships — is a unique characteristic of dinoflagellates.

In contrast, bacteria and fungi do not typically have both photosynthetic and parasitic characteristics in the way that dinoflagellates do. Mosses, being non-vascular plants, are primarily photosynthetic and do not exhibit parasitism. Therefore, the ability of dinoflagellates to operate in both roles distinctly classifies them within this context.