Dinoflagellates
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- DinoflaÂgelÂlates: MostÂly marine (saltÂwaÂter) organÂisms with the abilÂiÂty to phoÂtoÂsynÂtheÂsize (like plants).
- AppearÂance:
- ExhibÂit a variÂety of colÂors (yelÂlow, green, brown, blue, red) dependÂing on the pigÂments withÂin their cells.
- StrucÂture:
- PosÂsess a cell wall with stiff celÂluÂlose plates proÂvidÂing strucÂturÂal supÂport.
- Have two flaÂgelÂla (whip-like strucÂtures for moveÂment):
- One flaÂgelÂlum runs lonÂgiÂtuÂdiÂnalÂly (along the length).
- The othÂer flaÂgelÂlum is transÂverse (across the width) in a groove between the cell wall plates.
- Red Tides:
- Some dinoflaÂgelÂlates, like Gonyaulax, can mulÂtiÂply rapidÂly, causÂing “red tides.”
- These blooms can release toxÂins that harm marine life, includÂing fish.
