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Protozoa primarily ‘graze’ bacteria, but sometimes also fungi and other protozoa. They play an important part in mineralizing nutrients, making them available for use by the plants and other soil organisms. Protozoa have a lower concentration of nitrogen in their bodies than the bacteria they eat. The carbon to nitrogen ratio(C:N ratio) is 10:1 in protozoa, but only 3:1 in bacteria. The bacteria have too much N for the needs of the protozoa, so they release the excess N in the form of ammonium (NH4+) a form much desired by plants as well as other members of the SFW.
Protozoa are important in the control of disease by competing with, or feeding on pathogenic organisms.
Protozoa are an important food source for many other soil organisms, which will immobilize and mineralize the nutrients in their bodies.
Protozoa Links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protozoa
Amoeba Links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amoeba
Ciliate Links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciliate
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