Definition

A single-celled organism that can be either free-living or parasitic and is often found in water or soil.

Example

The scientist studied the behavior of the protozoon under a microscope.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of a protozoon?

Yeah, I learned about them in biology class; they're fascinating little creatures.

Right? I was surprised to find out how many different types there are.

Absolutely, they play such an important role in the ecosystem!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Protozoon → It is formed from "proto-" (from Greek "protos", meaning first) and "zoon" (from Greek "zōion", meaning animal). The word "protozoon" refers to a single-celled organism that is considered one of the earliest forms of animal life.

Memory Tip

Think of 'first' ('proto-') and 'animal' ('zoon') to remember that a protozoon is one of the earliest forms of animal life.

Visually Confused Words