Discuss the relationship of Choanoflagellates to animals

The Kingdom Protista represents a group of organisms that essentially do not belong to any other kingdom, and are united by the fact that they are not fungi, plants or animals. Yet, these organisms play an important role in the ecology of the earth, and pose serious health issues (Malaria for example). It is also though that Protists, or at least one group if them (the Choanoflagellates) may be the ancestral organism to the Animal Kingdom. Discuss the relationship of Choanoflagellates to animals (hint focus on genetics and cells) – cite current information in your discussion (400 – 500 words).