Difference between Monera and Protista

On Earth, life forms are categorized under five divisions. These divisions are based on nutrition, cell type, the complexity of the structure, energy obtained, etc.  These five kingdoms are Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia. Although Kingdoms Protista and Monera both comprise of entities which are single-celled. But, still, they are distinct from each other. This article will help to discover the difference between Monera and Protista. So, let us have the tabular presentation of the Difference between Monera and Protista.

What is Monera?

Kingdom Monera belongs to the family of a prokaryote. These organisms do not contain a true nucleus. These are considered as the oldest known microorganisms on earth. Also, their DNA is not enclosed within the nucleus. They are unicellular organisms and available mostly in a moist environment. They can be found in hot springs, snow, deep oceans, or parasites in other organisms. Also, these do not possess any membrane-bound organelles.

What are Protistas?

Protista is the simple eukaryotic type of organism.  These are neither plants nor animals or fungi. Actually, these are unicellular in nature but still can be found as a colony of cells. Mostly they live in water, damp terrestrial environments, or even as parasites. Protista’s name is derived from the Greek word “protistos” and its meaning is “the very first“.

Such organisms are usually unicellular and the cell of these organisms contains a nucleus that is bound to the organelles. Scientists say that protistas form a link between the plants, animals, and fungi. This is because these three kingdoms diverged from a common protist-like ancestor, billions of years ago. So, these are traditionally considered as the first eukaryotic forms of life and a predecessor to plant, animals, and fungi.

Difference between Monera and Protista

The important difference between Monera and Protista

Parameter	Monera	Protista
Level of cells	Unicellular and Prokaryotic cellular structure.	Unicellular and eukaryotic cellular structure.
Nutrition mode	Autotrophic or heterotrophic	Parasitic or holozoic or photosynthetic
Organelles of the cells	Not present	Present with well-membrane bound organelles.
Nucleus	True nucleus not present.	With Nuclei bound and nuclear membrane.
The complexity of the structure	Simple structure.	Complex structure.
Reproduction  mode	Asexual through budding, binary fission.	Asexual or maybe sexual too.
Examples	Bacillus, Mycobacteria, Sphorobacter.	Euglena, red algae, green algae.
Habitat	Found everywhere.	Some found in the aquatic areas and some in shady places and moist lands.

FAQs on Moneras and Protistas:

Q.1: Through which way Monera feed?

Answer: Monera breakdown the dead material as well as food in our digestive system. They may also prepare their own food.

Q.2: What is the reproduction process in Monera?

Answer: Monera reproduces by asexually through binary fission if suitable conditions are present. Otherwise, they do endospore formation during unfavorable conditions. They reproduce sexually by conjugation process.

Q.3: Are all Protists unicellular?

Answer: No, not all Protists are unicellular.

Q.4: What are two similarities between Monera and Protesta?

Answer:

1. Both are unicellular.
2. Both have an autotrophic or heterotrophic mode of nutrition.