(Originais Teachy 2023) - Question Medium of Biology

Protozoans are single-celled eukaryotes that can be found in various aquatic and terrestrial environments, and some are known to cause serious diseases in both humans and animals. In a hypothetical scenario, a group of researchers discovered a new species of protozoan in a contaminated water sample. The researchers also found that this species has the ability to photosynthesize and can be classified as an alga as well. Consider the characteristics of this new species and the information about the diseases caused by protozoans, and answer the following questions: 1) Discuss the morphological and physiological features that allow this new species to be classified as both a protozoan and an alga. 2) Propose a potential mechanism by which this species could contribute to the spread of infectious diseases, considering its dual classification and the characteristics of known disease-causing protozoans. Your answer should integrate knowledge of both biology and environmental science, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of understanding and addressing issues related to infectious diseases and environmental contamination.