2. FACTS ABOUT DINOFLAGELLATES
Dinoflagellates are unicellular plankton.
They belong to the phylum dinoflagellata (dinophyta).
They have a dinokaryotic nucleus. Contrary to prokaryotic or
eukaryotic, their chromosomes are permanently condensed.
The largest dinoflagellates are the Noctiluca. It is 2mm in size.
There are over 20,000 species of dinoflagellates
The Zooxanthellaae gives coral its color.
Dinoflagellates belong to the kingdom Protista. Protists are
organisms that are similar to organisms in Animal, Plants, and
fungus kingdoms, but they are different. For example, a Protist
may have chlorophyll but move on its own, or it may move on its
own, but is unicellular.
3. CONTINUED FACTS ABOUT
DINOFLAGELLATES
90% of dinoflagellates live in the ocean.
All dinoflagellates are autotrophs, which means they
use photosynthesis.
Some even live in snow.
Dinoflagellate means whirling flagella.
4. CHARACTERISTICS OF
DINOFLAGELLATES
Dinoflagellates have two flagella.
They spin in a top like motion.
When disturbed, they glow causing the ocean to light up.
However, not all dinoflagellates are harmless. Some such as
Gonyaalax, Gymnodinium, Alexandrium, and many more have a
harmful algal blooms which causes red tides.
The chemical reaction that causes their glow is called
Bioluminescene.
These algal blooms release toxins that are harmful to sea
creatures and humans if they eat seafood that have the toxin.
Dinoflagellates are golden brown or summer green.
5. The anatomy(parts)of
dinoflagellates
Flagellum- a long “tail” used for
movement.
Golgi Body- Used for “shipping”
particles around the cell.
Mitochondria- Used to break
down particles And release energy.
Ribosomes- makes proteins
Chloroplasts- Used to make food
by taking oxygen and carbon and
turning it into glucose.
Sulcum- A belt-like part that
connects the connects the upper
plate and the lower plate.
6. REPRODUCTION
Dinoflagellates reproduce asexually or by binary fission.
First, the parent cell expands. Next, the DNA is replicated (copied).
Then, the two DNA strands attach to
the cell membrane. After, the parent cell
Expands even more. Finally, the
Cell membrane meets at the center and
Splits into two new identical cells.
