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Plant-like Protists : Unicellular Algae. BIO 1004 Flora. Algae. 7 major phyla of algae 4 are unicellular 3 are multicellular Many have accessory pigments that allow harvesting of sunlight that chlorphyll a and b do not harvest Make up most phytoplankton 4 unicellular algae:
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Plant-like Protists: Unicellular Algae BIO 1004 Flora
Algae • 7 major phyla of algae • 4 are unicellular • 3 are multicellular • Many have accessory pigments that allow harvesting of sunlight that chlorphyll a and b do not harvest • Make up most phytoplankton • 4 unicellular algae: • Euglenophytes • Chrysophytes • Diatoms • dinoflagellates
Euglenophytes • Phylum Euglenophyta • Have two flagella but no cell wall • Separated from zooflagellates due to the presence of a cell wall • Most prevalent of these is euglena • Eyespot – highly specialized structure that allows organism to sense sunlight and move towards it • Also contain “pellicle” that allow them to move through mud when no water is present
Chrysophytes • Phylum Chrysophyta (means golden plants) • Yellow-green and golden-brown algae • Chloroplasts contain bright yellow pigments • Contain pectin in their cell walls instead of cellulose (like plants) • Store food in the form of oil instead of starch • Reproduce asexually and sexually
Diatoms • Phylum Bacillariophyta • Among most abundant and beautiful organisms on earth! • Produce thin cells walls rich in silicon
Dinoflagellates • Phylum Pyrrophyta • Half are photosynthetic and other half are heterotrophs • Most have two flagella • Reproduce asexually by binary fission • Most are luminescent • Also called “fire plants”
