Oomycetes, also known as water molds, are fungus-like protists that feed by absorbing nutrients through their cellulose cell walls. They reproduce both sexually, through oogonia and antheridia forming oospores, and asexually via biflagellate zoospores. While commonly found in water, many oomycetes are terrestrial. Some are parasitic on animals, plants, and crops, causing diseases like late blight of potato. They have characteristics like diploid nuclei, cellulose cell walls, and two flagella per motile spore that distinguish them from true fungi.