Algae dinoflagellates ecology

How are phytoplankton populations kept in check?

Seasonal climate changes

nutrient limitation

predation

What kingdom are algae in?

Kingdom Protista

Phylum Dinophyta

dinoflagellates

Unicellular

Flagella

2000 species

Dinoflagellate chloroplasts

pigmented contains chlorophylls a and c

And carotenoids - peridinin

Gonyaluax polyedra

armoured dinoflagellate - red tide harmful algal blooms

Dinoflagellate reproduction

Have permanently condensed chromosomes

longitudinal cell division

Dinoflagellate feeding techniques

ingest or absorb dissolved organic compounds

Some exude a peduncle to suck materials into the cell

others use pallium to envelope prey

What stimulates the production of glycerol in symbiotic dinoflagellates in corals?

Amino acids produced by the polyp

Dinoflagellate resting cysts

produced under unfavourable conditions

non-motile - drift to bottom of lake or ocean and remain viable for years

What causes bioluminescence?

Dinoflagellates carrying out chemical reaction between Luciferin and enzyme luciferase plus O2