Transcript Phytoplankton-Previewx

Algae Preview:
Investigating the needs, diversity, and uses
Algae (aka Phytoplankton) Basics
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Phytoplankton
◦ “Phyton” – plant
◦ “Planktos” - wanderer
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Aquatic
◦ Freshwater
◦ Marine
◦ Estuaries
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Photoautotroph
◦ Make their own energy
◦ From the sunlight
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Cannot be seen by the
naked eye
Living Requirements
PO-4
Si
External Factors
H2O
Temperature
Influences
Sunlight Amount
(Cloudy v. Clear Day)
pH
Competitors/Predators
Ecological Importance
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Primary Producer
◦ Over 50% O2
Production
◦ Staple for all aquatic
food webs
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Ecological Threats
◦ Climate Change = Warmer
Ocean Temperatures
◦ Decrease in ocean density by
40% since 1950 (Nature)
Diversity!
Anabaena: cyanobacteria, heterocyst
Palmodictyon: colonial, sheath
Dinobryon: Golden algae, “fishey” blooms
Eudorina: 32-cell ball, all flagella point out
Diversity!
Scenedesmus: 4 cell colony, spines
Pediastrum: colonial, “lace”
Cyclotella: circular diatom, looks like a tire
Coccolithophores: calcium carbonate “shell”
Diversity!
Microcystis: Blue green, Gull Lake cyano
Peridinium: dinoflagellate, “egg with a belt”
What’s Next!?
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Head to Gull Lake and the Lagoon to sample
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Come back and ID common Michigan Species
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Biofuel Preview
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Game Time: Day In A Phytoplankton’s “Shoes”