University:
York University
Course:
SC/BIOL 2021 | Cell Biology
Academic year:

2019
Views:

336

Pages:

2
Author:

Nick T.

Characteristics of Dinoflagellates: Unicellular Some bi-flagellated Photosynthetic and heterotrophic (phagotrophic) Majority in brackish/marine Toxic and non-toxic blooms Majority harmless, can be parasitic or symbiotic Ancient division due to prokaryote characteristics Pigments: Chlorophyll a, c Accessory pigments: β-carotene, xanthophyll's peridin, neoperidin, dinoxanthin Thylakoids in stacks of 3 Food reserves: starch Cell covering: Can be armored or naked Armored: Ceratium Naked: Gymnodium Flagella: One longitudinal, one along girdle Ceratium: cellulose Distinctive organelles: Ocellus: light detective Trichocysts: defensive Primitive nematocysts Bioluminescence: Luciferin-luciferase: bioluminescent Characteristics of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs): Red, reddish-brown, or yellow Local example: Noctiluca Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP): Neurotoxin to fish Saxitoxin Red tide caused by Gymnodium Symbiosis: Mutualistic dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae) Endo vs. exoparasitic Farmer Corals: Northern Pacific coast: 2-4 deaths/year due to PSP Vitamin B12 influx Dinoflagellates produce glucose to help sponges