1. Chapter 5 Protists: Protozoa and Algae

2. Protists
have little in common with each other except for they are all eukaryotes that are usually aquatic
are animal-like, plant-like, or fungus-like
two main groups important to marine environments: protozoa and algae

3. Protozoa animal-like organisms heterotrophic unicellular organism
no cell wall, no chloroplast
means “first animal”
test = exoskeleton / shell made of calcium carbonate

4. Protozoa
pseudopodia – extension of the cytoplasm that protrudes; used for locomotion and feeding

5. Foraminiferans mostly bottom dwelling thin retractable pseudopodia
found in limestone and chalk beds

6. Foraminiferans
white cliffs of Dover in England and pink beaches of Bahamas

7. Radiolarians marine planktonic organisms found in the open ocean
uses pseudopodia to capture food
spherical shell made of glass (silica) with radiating spines

8. Ciliates
have hair-like cilia which are used for locomotion and feeding
found on seaweed, on the gills of clams, in the intestines of sea urchins, and on the skin of fishes
most common example is Paramecium

9. Algae plant-like organisms autotrophic have chloroplasts
lack stem, leaves, and roots
can be unicellular or multicellular

10. Ecological Importance of Protists
important part of the marine food chain
algae are producers similar to land plants
protozoa are primary consumers that are food for larger organisms
algae make oxygen as a by-product of photosynthesis

11. Human Importance of Algae
used in food
potential use of fuel because more efficient than corn
used in research to make agar (bacteria medium) and gels (gel electrophoresis)
used in agriculture as fertilizer, in livestock feed

12. Algae-Animal Partnership
Zooxanthelle is a type of dinoflagellate that lives inside the tissues of animals (anemones, giant clams, coral, nudibranchs, jellyfish)
have a mutualistic relationship with corals; ( benefit / benefit )

13. How does this mutualistic relationship work?
Corals provide a protected environment and compounds needed for photosynthesis to zooxanthellae.
In turn, zooxanthellae provide food as products of photosynthesis to coral.

14. How does this mutualistic relationship work?
This gives corals a boost of nutrients, so they can secrete the calcium carbonate skeleton that serves as the foundation for coral reef.
This important relationship represents a highly efficient exchange of nutrients in a nutrient-poor environment.

15. Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB)
when algal multiplies rapidly it changes color
the discolored water (green, brown, red, or orange)
can be caused by microorganisms like dinoflagellates, diatoms, cyanobacteria
hazardous because the microorganisms may produce toxins that can poison fish and shellfish

16. Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB)
toxins can have detrimental effects on marine food chains
can affect marine animals like turtles, dolphins, manatees, and sea lions
sea lion deaths are now almost annual events along the southern California coastline

17. HABs and Humans
people can be harmed by a HAB by eating fish or shellfish that have been exposed to a HAB
most common way to be affected by HABs is by eating poisoned shellfish
cooking doesn’t kill toxins

18. HABs and Humans
diarrhetic shellfish poisoning – nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
neurotoxic shellfish poisoning – neurologic symptoms (tingling fingers and toes)
paralytic shellfish poisoning – numbness, paralysis, respiratory failure

19. What Causes HABs?

20. What Causes HABs? increase in nutrients may lead to algal blooms
rivers carry fertilizer run-off that eventually make their way to the ocean
introduction of new microorganisms on ships brought to new sites that have a lack of predators, leading to an overpopulation of algae
warm water also seems to be linked to HABs