Dinophyta

Outline

Introduction

a.k.a., dinoflagellates

related to ciliates

mostly unicellular

Cells

Flagella -- two of 'em

transverse flagellum -- in girdle

longitudinal flagellum -- in sulcus

Cell wall -- also called a theca

hypocone + epicone = theca

made of cellulose plates in vesicles

trichocysts

Nucleus -- weird

have a "dinokaryotic" or "mesokaryotic" nucleus

chromosomes always condensed

mitosis

nuclear envelope persists

microtubules form outside nucleus

Chloroplasts -- typically:

3 membranes

thylakoids in stacks of three

chlorophylls a and c + peridinin

starch = reserve polysaccharide

Ecology

modes of nutrition

autotrophic

mixotrophic

heterotrophic -- about 50%

e.g., Pfiesteria piscicida

mutualisms

found in many organisms, e.g., reef-forming corals

zooxanthellae

red tides

 

Vocabulary

click here to go to Dinophyta vocabulary