who coined the term "Protista"?

Options

A. John Ray
B. Carolus Linnaeus
C. Ernst Haeckel
D. Julian Huxley

Answer

To answer the question "Who coined the term 'Protista'?", we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Term 'Protista':**
- The term 'Protista' refers to a group of unicellular organisms that are distinct from plants, animals, and fungi. It is important to know the historical context of this classification.

2. **First Observation of Protists:**
- The first observation of protists was made by John Hogg in the year 1860. He recognized these organisms but did not coin the term 'Protista'.

3. **Coining of the Term:**
- In 1866, the term 'Protista' was officially coined by the German biologist Ernst Haeckel. He established this classification to include all unicellular organisms that did not fit into the other kingdoms.

4. **Conclusion:**
- Therefore, the correct answer to the question is that the term 'Protista' was coined by Ernst Haeckel in 1866.

### Final Answer:
The term "Protista" was coined by **Ernst Haeckel** in 1866.

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