Why are protoctists considered more advanced than monerans from the point of view of evolution?

Question

Why are protoctists considered more advanced than monerans from the point of view of evolution?

Answer 1

Protoctist and moneran are old terms that aren't used by biologists now.  But, using the old terminology, monerans are prokaryotic, which means they have no membrane-bound organelles, including a nucleus.  Without membrane-bround organelles, they can't compartmentalize cellular functions and therefore aren't as efficient at completing some cellular tasks.  Protoctists, on the other hand, are eukaryotic and therefore do have nuclei and other membrane-bound organelles.  This ability to compartmentalize cellular functions allows them to become larger and the cells to become more specialized in function.