Protists get food in one of three ways. They may ingest, absorb, or make their own organic molecules. Ingestive protists ingest, or engulf, bacteria and other small particles. They extend their cell wall and cell membrane around the food item, forming a food vacuole.

How do protists obtain food for energy?

Protists can be classified by their way of getting energy. Some protists capture sunlight and convert it to usable energy. Another group of protists gets its energy from eating other organisms. A third group gets energy by absorbing materials and nutrients from its environment.

Do protists eat their own food?

In general, the protists include organisms whose cells have a nucleus enclosed by a membrane and who do not fit into the other kingdoms. Protists are mostly one-celled organisms. Some make their own food, but most take in or absorb food. Most protists move with the help of flagella, pseudopods, or cilia.