Discuss the ecological significance of the dinoflagellates
What will be an ideal response?
More than 4000 species of dinoflagellates have been discovered so far. Most are unicellular organisms
that are autotrophic or heterotrophic (Some species can actually carry out both types of nutrition).
Dinoflagellates are abundant in marine phytoplankton, and as such are a major primary producer in
ocean ecosystems. Some species live as symbionts in the tissues of other marine organisms, most
notably corals. For example, dinoflagellates in corals use the coral's carbon dioxide and nitrogenous
waste, while supplying 90 percent of the coral's nutrition. This symbiotic relationship allows tropical
coral reefs to reach massive size. Indeed, without the dinoflagellates many coral species would die. At
times, population explosions (blooms) of dinoflagellates may color the sea red. Some red-tide
dinoflagellates produce a toxin that interferes with nerve function in animals that ingest these protists.
Fish that feed on plankton may be killed in large numbers by the toxin. Dinoflagellate toxin does not
noticeably affect clams, oysters, and other mollusks, although it becomes concentrated in their tissues.
Eating the tainted mollusks can cause respiratory failure and death for humans and other animals.
You might also like to view...
During this phase of the cell cycle chromosomes start to condense:
A. Metaphase B. Prometaphase C. Telophase D. Anaphase E. Prophase
What benefit does running a fever provide to a sick person?
What will be an ideal response?
If a male human had a non-functioning sympathetic system, which of the following would happen?
a) sperm and semen could not be emitted into the urethra b) vasodilation of the penis could not occur c) an erection could not occur d) both a and c e) both b and c
The best definition of a purebred plant is one that ________
A) cannot be cross-fertilized B) self-fertilizes to produce offspring identical to the parent C) produces sterile offspring when cross-fertilized D) self-fertilizes to produce hybrid offspring