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- Dinoflagellates: Mostly marine (saltwater) organisms with the ability to photosynthesize (like plants).
- Appearance:
- Exhibit a variety of colors (yellow, green, brown, blue, red) depending on the pigments within their cells.
- Structure:
- Possess a cell wall with stiff cellulose plates providing structural support.
- Have two flagella (whip-like structures for movement):
- One flagellum runs longitudinally (along the length).
- The other flagellum is transverse (across the width) in a groove between the cell wall plates.
- Red Tides:
- Some dinoflagellates, like Gonyaulax, can multiply rapidly, causing “red tides.”
- These blooms can release toxins that harm marine life, including fish.
