Plant-like Protists--Algae • Formerly of Kingdom Protista—differences between Protists is as great as differences between Eukaryotic Kingdoms • Polyphyletic group—no single common ancestor tying group together • Algae Representatives—Green, Brown, Red, Diatoms, and Dinoflagellates Comparative Characteristics of Algae • Photosynthetic pigments • Carbohydrate food reserve • Number of flagella • Cell Wall component • Habitat Phylum Chlorophyta- Green Algae • Chlorophylls a and b with carotenoids • Starch as the storage carbohydrate • Cellulose or non-cellulose polysaccharides • Freshwater and marine environments • Symbiotic relationships The Sloth Ecosystem DNA Analysis of Three-toed Sloth Coats • Bacteria • Moth • Beetles • Ciliates • Bacteria • Ascomycetes • Red algae • Green algae Phylum Chlorophyta-Green Algae Numerous Similarities to Land Plants • Photosynthetic Pigments • Flavonoids—anthocyanin -like • Red light responses to daylength – Phytochrome responses • Cell Division with phragmoplast • Starch/cell wall similarities Snow Algae-Chlamydomonas Phylum Rhodophyta-Red Algae • Chlorophyll a, phycobilins, and carotenoids • Floridean Starch • No Flagella • Cellulose Microtubules in polysaccharide matrix— occasionally coralline • Mostly marine, macroscopic algae Phylum Rhodophyta-Red Algae • Pigments allows red algae to capture light at great ocean depths • Blue and green wavelengths penetrate deep ocean water. Coralline red algae from a depth of 268 meters near the Bahamas-Fig. 16-14 Phylum Rhodophyta-Red Algae • Carrageenan—colloidial suspension for paints, cosmetics, dairy products • Anti-tumor chemistry • Coralline red algae - important component of coral reefs Phylum Dinophyta-Dinoflagellates Dino (Greek) –whirling, terrible • Chlorophylls a & c, and peridinin— • Dinoflagellates engulf other algae for photosynthesis • Starch • Two flagella • Cellulosic plates not always present • Marine—some bioluminescent species The Pilobulus (Ascomycete) video Bioluminescent Dinoflagellates Bioluminescent surfing-San Diego 2011 Phylum Dinophyta-Dinoflagellates Economics and Ecology • Red tides—yellow or red blooms of dinoflagellates • Produce strong neurotoxins which can kill schools of fish, dolphins, and people New Zealand-NIWA photo Phylum Dinophyta-Dinoflagellates Pfiesteria piscicida—The Cell from Hell • Discovered along Atlantic Coast in late 1980’s and early 1990’s • Cell undergoes dramatic and quick transformation – Photosynthetic cyst – Toxic vampire stage – Amoeboid stage – At least 24 stages • Associated with sources of nutrient pollution – Chicken and Hog Farms – Phosphate Mines Phylum Phaeophyta—Brown Algae Kelps, Sargasso, Rockweeds • Chlorophylls a & c; fucoxanthin as an accessory pigment • Laminarin is a carbohydrate storage molecule • Cellulosic cell walls • Flagellated reproductive cells • Marine environment Phylum Phaeophyta—Brown Algae Kelps, Sargasso, Rockweeds • Intertidal zones • Pounding waves, exposure to air at low tide • Thick leathery blades with mucilaginous polysaccharides; large holdfast • Dietary supplements-salts, vitamins, trace elements • Thickener for foods and paint products Phylum Bacillariophyta-Diatoms Cells in Glasshouses • Chlorophylls a & c; accessory pigments of fucoxanthin and carotenoids • Cellulosic and Silica cell walls-symetrical and ornate • Chrysolaminarin as the food carbohydrate molecule • Usually with 1 or 2 flagella • Marine and freshwater Phylum Bacillariophyta-Diatoms Cells in Glasshouses • Extremely abundant • Fossil beds of Diatoms –diatomaceous earth • Silver polish, some toothpastes, pool filters, insulators Plant-like Protists • Polyphyletic • Characteristics used to identify groups • Distinguishing features, economic and ecological value of the major plant-like protists – Chlorophyta (Green) – Rhodophyta (Red) – Dinophyta (Terrible) – Phaeophyta (Brown) – Bacilliarophyta (Diatoms) .