Protists

Adam FairbanksMargaret Ireland

Andrew Zhou

Phytoplankton

• Autotrophic component of the plankton community

• Inhabit the uppermost layer (they get the most sun) of most oceans and bodies of fresh water

• Rely on minerals in the water for nutrients

Phytoplankton: The Basics

Dinoflagellates

Dinoflagellates• Unicellular algae, found in fresh and salt water• Each species of dinoflagellates has a

characteristic shape reinforced by plates of cellulose

• Most are photosynthesizers, but others are mixotrophic (chemoautotrophs and chemoheterotrophs)

• Algal Bloom: population explosion• Some species are able to produce their own light

through bioluminescence.

Pfisteria• Genus of heterotrophic dinoflagellates

discovered by researchers at NC State.• Cause large fish kills in warm coastal

waters because of neurotoxins they release, which affect muscle function, sometimes even deadly to humans

• Also called red tides, because of the reddish-orange color they turn the water

Diatoms

Diatoms

• Photosynthetic– Important producer in marine ecosystem– Contain chlorophyll– Component of plankton

• Structure– skeleton is known as the frustule– Skeleton Made of silicon– Epitheca overlaps hypotheca in skelton• Each made up of valve, flat plats, cingulum

Youtube Videos

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2_H4vikJyk (Dinoflagellates-Few seconds)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCNjXaMPZxw (Interesting dinoflagellates)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZ1pmnNU-sA (Diatoms)