Where are protists found?

Protists are responsible for a variety of human diseases including malaria, sleeping sickness, amoebic dysentery and trichomoniasis. Malaria in humans is a devastating disease. It is caused by five species of the parasite Plasmodium, which are transmitted to humans by female Anopheles mosquitoes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). read more

Protists are found in many places. They are mostly found ponds and streams, and the ocean as well. Strangely, they are found also in human and animal digestive tracts. read more

Protists have been found living inside animals, within bodily fluids and tissues. For example, some protists are found in the intestinal tracts of termites. In many cases these relationships are mutual, meaning that the animal supports the life of the protist while also benefiting from its presence. read more