Protists and animals share some characteristics. Protists are classified into three main groups - plantlike, animal-like, and funguslike - based on their traits. Plantlike protists, called algae, contain chlorophyll and can photosynthesize. They include diverse organisms like diatoms, dinoflagellates, euglenoids, red algae, green algae, and brown algae. Algae are a primary food source in aquatic ecosystems and are important in producing oxygen.