Protists vs. Sperm, Phagocytes: What's the Difference?

[wasteofo2]

Just curious if things like sperm, phagocytes etc. were considered protists, and if not, what are they considered?

 

[iansmith]

Protist are usually free living and can acquire or produces their food. It is a system be itself with the exception of some "multicellular" species.

Human cell could never be consider protist because most of the cells produce by the human body do not replicated and acquire, and produce food on their own. Stem cells and specific factor are require for these cells to exist. Food is always giving as simplified form rather than in the raw form encouter. The human cells are part of a system rather than being the system.

 

[loseyourname]

My guess is that this question will have no meaning within a decade. The word "protist" is extremely vague at this point and very nearly meaningless. At least that's been my experience learning taxonomy. Ian is the expert here.

 

[Moonbear]

Sperm, phagocytes, etc. are not different species, they are specialized cells produced by humans. Therefore, they cannot be considered protists. Protists refers to an entirely separate classification of organisms.

 

[wasteofo2]

But they certainly are alive on their own, even if they are produced by cells inside a human and are kept alive by human bodily functions, what would they be considered if not protists?

 

[loseyourname]

They aren't alive on their own. They cannot reproduce.