Plantlike Protist: Unicellular Algae Ms. Sheldon Microbiology

OVERVIEW Green Pigment called Chlorophyll for photosynthesis Motile ALGAE Debate about if they should be in the plant kingdom

CHLOROPHYLL and ACCESSORY PIGMENTS Light is trapped by Chlorophyll and accessory pigments Chlorophyll a – the most effective Chlorophyll b and c absorb other wavelengths of light Accessory Pigments – capture light at other wavelengths than chlorophyll

EUGLENOPHYTA 1,000 species Unicellular flagellated euglenoids Can be heterotrophic absorbing decaying matter Chlorophyll and photosynthetic – plant like No cell wall and two flagella and pellicle (cell membrane that is folded like a ribbon Freshwater, crawl through mud Asexual reproduction with binary fission Eyespot – reddish pigments to find sunlight

CHRYSOPHYTA 850 species Golden algae (yellow-green) Freshwater Cysts are formed to survive unfavorable conditions Two flagella, pectin in cell walls and sometimes cellulose as well Shade of yellow of brown carotenoids Store energy as oil and help in petroleum formations

DIATOMS - BACILLARIOPHYTA 11,500 species Freshwater and Marine Shells or Valve made of silicon dioxide Centric diatoms – circular shells Pennate diatoms – rectangular shells Phytoplankton – release oxygen Diatomaceous earth - shells and is used in detergents, paint remover, fertilizers, insulators and some toothpaste

PYRROPHYTA - DINOFLAGELLATES 1,100 species Unicellular ½ Photosynthetic and 1/2 heterotrophic Yellowish green to brown color Two flagella Made of cellulose Bioluminescence – light – Fire Plant Color producing toxins – red tide This is what makes them dangerous to humans, oysters and such eat them and then we eat them

ECOLOGY Base of the food chain Phytoplankton = surface of ocean living organisms, food source Algal Blooms = sewage is a great food source, grow in population and deplete the nutrients, can be toxin producing (red tide)