The term autotrophic refers to plants' ability to carry on photosynthesis. Plants, on the other hand, are anchored in the soil and obtain both water and minerals from the soil. Fungi release digestive enzymes into the environment and digest food externally. Unicellular animal-like forms are placed in the Kingdom Protista. The animal-like forms are commonly called protozoans.
Protozoans live in moist environments.
Many are aquatic, both freshwater and marine, some live in moist soil or decaying organic material, some live inside various organisms as parasites. Protozoans eat food molecules present in the water around them. Food molecules such as sugars, protein, or lipids enter the cells by simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion, or active transport. Food particles and other unicellular organisms are ingested by endocytosis. This involves the flexible plasma membrane forming extensions and engulfing the organism or food particles.