What type of organism is an amoeba?

An amoeba is classified as a protist because it belongs to a diverse group of organisms that are primarily unicellular eukaryotes. Protists can exhibit a range of characteristics but are often grouped together because they do not fit into the categories of plants, animals, or fungi. Amoebae are characterized by their ability to change shape and move using pseudopodia, which are temporary projections of their cytoplasm.

The classification of amoebae as protists makes them distinct from other types of organisms like bacteria, which are prokaryotic and lack a defined nucleus, and from plants and fungi, which are multicellular or form complex structures and have specialized tissues. This unique position of amoebae within the protist kingdom highlights their ecological role and biological features that make them an important subject of study in understanding cellular processes and the evolution of eukaryotic life.