Which protists are the base of the marine food chain? animal-like plant-like

## Step 1<br />The question asks us to identify which type of protists serve as the base of the marine food chain. Protists are a diverse group of eukaryotic organisms, which include both plant-like and animal-like protists.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />Plant-like protists, also known as algae, are the primary producers in many aquatic ecosystems. They use sunlight to produce food through photosynthesis, much like terrestrial plants. This process not only provides food for themselves but also for other organisms in the ecosystem.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />Animal-like protists, on the other hand, are typically consumers rather than producers. They feed on other organisms and do not contribute to the base of the food chain in the same way that plant-like protists do.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />In the context of marine ecosystems, the term "base of the food chain" refers to the primary producers, which are the organisms that produce organic compounds from atmospheric or aquatic carbon dioxide, primarily through the process of photosynthesis. In marine environments, this role is predominantly filled by plant-like protists (algae).