Marine BIO chapter 5

flowering plants structure

Division Anthophyta

have true roots, stems, and leaves, and a water vascular system

algae structure

Divison Anthophyta

have analogous root, stem and leaf structures but NO vascular system

Major marine types of division anthophyta

• submerged seagrasses

• emergent flowering plants

Submerged grasses (division anthophyta)

• 12 common gerera

• most found in tropical areas and some in temperate

• found in shallow and in calm water

Common types of submerged grasses in the US

• turtle grass

• eelgrass

• surf grass

what does division anthophyta produce?

they produce horizontal stems (rhizomes) rocks or other substrate

how does division anthophyta reproduce?

they reproduce vegetatively (asexually or sexually by producing seeds)

• pollinations by pollen grain occurs underwater

• seeds drop and sprout

Which seagrass has the widest distribution ?

Eelgrass

what is the root structure for rhizomal extension?

apical meristem

Johnson’s seagrass

• the only plant listed under the ESA

• very limited distribution

How deep in the water are emergent flowering plants found? (Division Anthophyta)

only partially submerged in water

examples of emergent flowering plants? (Division Anthophyta)

mangroves, salt marsh plants

where are emergent flowering plants (Division Anthophyta) found?

found in tropical and subtropical areas.

salt marsh plants are found in temperate climates

halophytes

terrestrial plants that can tolerate salt water

How does emerging flowering plants contribute to the environment? (Division Anthophyta)

• they contribute to detritus production in shallow water, near shore environments

• forms an important habitat for fishes

Where are mangroves found? (Division Anthophyta)

they are found only in tropical and subtropical areas and line

2/3s of the tropical coastlines worldwide

What are key features of mangroves? (Division Anthophyta)

• they support entire ecosystem communities

• different types: red, white, black

• can be differentiated by physical features and successional distribution

• Many have glands that excrete salt - cystoliths

what specialized root does red mangrove and black mangrove have?

red mangrove - prop root

black mangrove - pneumatophores

how do red mangroves reproduce? (Division Anthophyta)

• red mangrove seedlings - adaption for living partially submerged in salt water

• located above water and germinates while attached

• drop off when ready and root in shallow water with top fo the seedling out of water

Divisions of seaweed and which is the most common in fresh water and in marine environment? (marine algae)

• Ochrophyta

• Rhodophyta

• Chlorophyta

Ochrophyta and Rhodophyta are the most common in marine environment

Chlorophyta is the most common in fresh water

How do seaweeds differ from other plant like organisms ? (marine algae)

they don’t have sa vascular system or produce seeds or flowes

How are seaweeds similar to other plant like organisms ? (marine algae)

• photosynthesize

• multicellular and eukaryotic

• not mobile

Which division of seaweeds are ancestral to true plants? (marine algae)

Chlorophyta

where are seaweeds found? (marine algae)

they are found in a variety of habitats, ranging from rough intertidal and wave swept areas to calm tropical waters

high diversity in temperate areas

in what depth range are seaweeds found?

depth range from intertidal to approx. 268 m

most commonly found from 0 to 40 m

what do seaweeds provide for marine organisms?

• they provide a substrate for organisms to live on other algae species (epiphytes) or animals

• provide food, protection and/or shade for organisms

what are the structural features of seaweed?

• no true root, stems, leaves

• not as complex as flowering plants

• diverse shapes, sizes and structural complexity

Common body parts of macroalgae

• thalamus - entire algal body

• blades - analogous to leaves

• stipe - analogous to a stem

• haptera - analogous roots

• holdfast - anchors plant to the bottom

pneumatocysts (seaweed)

• gas filled floats on some macroalgae

• functions to create buoyancy to hold the thallus upright increasing exposure to the sunlight

What is thought to the ancestor of land plants?

green algae (chlorophyta)

How many species of green algae (chlorophyta) are there?

–~ 7000 species; less than 1000 are marine

where are green algae (chlorophyta) found?

worldwide in wet enviroments

what is the size of green algae (chlorophyta) ?

–Microscopic to macroscopic

how does green algae (chlorophyta) store excess energy?

–Store excess energy as starch (same as in true plants)

what are the cell walls of green algae (chlorophyta) composed of?

Cellulose in cell walls (same as in true plants)

How many species of brown algae (Ochrophyta) are there?

–~ 1500 species, most complex group

–Almost all marine

size and environment of habitat of brown algae (Ochrophyta)

–Some microscopic, most larger - to 300+ feet

–Prefer shallow, cold waters

what do brown algae (Ochrophyta) contain ?

they contain chlorophyll a and c and fucoxanthin

brown algae are a source of algin

what is the body of brown algae (Ochrophyta)?

Typical body of holdfast, stipe and blades

examples of brown algae (Ochrophyta)

kelp

sargassum

what is the significance of sargassum (brown algae) ?

• Massive floating mats of Sargassum provide habitat for countless species of fish, marine mammals, birds and invertebrates; Sargasso Sea

• Similar to kelp forests in some respects in terms of ecological importance.

where are sargassum found (brown algae)?

Sargassum is a species of brown algae found in the Atlantic between North America and Europe as well as the Gulf of Mexico

How many species of red algae (Rhodophyta) are there?

–~ 4000 species, almost all marine

what environment do red algae (Rhodophyta) live in ?

Prefer deep cold waters or warm, shallow waters depending on species

what does red algae (rhodophyta) contain ?

• Contains photosynetic pigments, chlorophyll A and D and phycobilins

• Some are coralline (produce calcium carbonate, Ex: Corallina)

photosynthetic pigment of green algae

• mostly chlorophyll

• green color

photosynthetic pigment of brown algae

• mixture of chlorophyll and accessory pigments

  • Major accessory pigments are golden xanthophylls.

  • Blend of green and golden pigments— brown color

photosynthetic pigment of red algae

• mixture of chlorophylls and red and blue phycobillins.

  • Can appear from green to red

  • Most look pink, red, or purplish

in which area does green algae thrive in?

Green algae generally do not thrive in deeper areas—limited ability to absorb green wavelengths of light

In what area are red and brown algae competitive?

Reds and browns—competitive advantage at depth because of the combination of chlorophyll and accessory pigments xanthophyll and phycobillin

what is the fastest growing “plants” in the world?

Kelps

what is NPP?

a measure used to compare productivity of geographical areas