What method is used to divide protists into three groups?

Protists are typically divided into three groups based on their modes of nutrition: plant-like protists (autotrophs), which perform photosynthesis; animal-like protists (heterotrophs), which consume other organisms; and fungus-like protists, which absorb nutrients from their environment. This classification reflects their ecological roles and similarities in characteristics. Additionally, they can be categorized by their cellular organization, such as unicellular or multicellular forms.