Question

Scientists once classified a diverse group of eukaryotic species into kingdom Protista. However, in modern evolutionary classification, protists are not grouped together in their own clade, and the concept of kingdom Protista has little meaning.
Which statement about protists explains its revised classification?

A. All protists evolved from a common eukaryotic ancestor.
B. The common ancestor of protists gave rise to many other types of eukaryotes.
C. Although most protists are unicellular, some species are multicellular.
D. Traits evolved in protists that do not appear in other eukaryotic species.

Answer 1

"The common ancestor of protists gave rise to many other types of eukaryotes" statement about protists explains its revised classification.

Option: B

Explanation:

All protists have the principal characteristic that they are eukaryotic organisms. This implies they consist a nucleus that is contained to the membrane. Many researchers believe that, when these three kingdoms deviated from general protist-like ancestor, billions of years ago, protists created a connection among plants, animals and fungi.

While this protist-like ancestor is a hypothetical creature, these ancient species can be traced to other genes present in modern animals and plants.  Hence, historically, these species are deemed the first eukaryotic types of life and a precursor to fungi, plants and animals.