Plant-like Protists: Unicellular Algae

BIO 1004Flora

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”

Luminescent DinoFlagellates