👉 A chaetopod is a type of protista, a single-celled organism that lives on or in water. It has an internal membrane and contains a cell wall made of proteins. The cells are surrounded by a layer of extracellular matrix, which provides support for the cell and facilitates movement through the fluid environment. Chaetopods also have a unique mechanism called "chitin binding" where they bind to carbohydrates and other molecules that occur naturally in their environment.
