Protists+The+Sequel

 =**Plantlike Protists: also known as ALGAE!!** =

Many protists undergo photosynthesis, contain chlorophyll, and are able to move freely. We know that light and chylorophyll are necessary for photosynthesis. There is one main issue for deep-water dwelling algae, and that is the lack of light. (Oh no!) As light moves through the water, much of its energy is absorbed. Because of this, the algae have evolved to contain different types of chylorphyll. The different forms of chylorophyll (//a, b, c//) absorb different wavelengths of light. Since algae contains these different forms of chylorophyll, they are able to absorb more than just the standard red and violet wavelengths. In addition to such chlorophyll, some algae also have **accessory pigments,** which absorb light at different wavelengths than chlorophyll.

 Simply put, algae utilize chlorophyll and accessory pigments to harvest and use the energy provided by the sun.

=Euglenophtyes(yoo-glee-nuh-FYTes)= "Euglenophtyes are plantlike protists that have two flagella but no cell wall" (Miller, Levine). They are closely related to animallike flagellates. They all have chloroplasts, also. The area near the gullet end of the cell is the **eyespot,** a cluster of reddish pigment which allows the euglenophyte to find sunlight in order to perform photosynthesis. IF SUNLIGHT IS NOT AVAILABLE, euglenophtyes can function as heterotrophs, absorbing nutrients in decaying organic matter. They also have no cell walls, but instead have a cell membrane called a **pellicle,** which is folded into a series of ridges which are each supported by microtubules, and it is tough and flexible. Euglenas are able to reproduce asexually through binary fission.

Dinoflagellates
Half of dinoflagellates are photosynthetic, the other half are heterotrophic. They typically have two flagella, which wrap around the organism between two plates of protective cellulose. They reproduce asexually through binary fission. Many of the species ae luminescent, also. They give off lght when they feel threatened. Interestingly enough, dinoflagellates are the only eukaryotes that lack histones. So their DNA is not wrapped tightly like in other eukaryotes. Fascinating, indeed.

Chrysophytes
This includes yellow-green algae and golden-brown algae. Their cholorplasts have bright yellow pigments, and that is why their name is Chrysophyta, meaning "golden plants".

=Diatoms= Members of phylum Bacillariophyta, they are the most abundant organisms on Earth! They have thin, delicate cell walls that are very rich in silicon (which is the main ingredient in glass).

Unicellular Algae and More
Plantlike protists make up a good portion of the phtyoplankton (small photosynthetic organisms near the surface of the ocean). They are a direct source of food for shrimp, whales and other organisms.

**Red Algae**

 * members of phylum Rhodophyta
 * Able to live deep in the ocean because they are very efficient at harvesting light energy. They are able to do ths using: chlorophyll a and **phycobilins** (reddish accesory pigments).
 * Their high efficiency allows them to grow from the ocean's surface up to 260 meters deep!

**Brown Algae**

 * have chlorophyll //a// and //c,// and the accesory pigment fucoxanthin.
 * They are the largest and most complex algae
 * They are all multicellular and most live in marine habitats.
 * Largest alga is the giant kelp, a type of brown algae that can be 60m long!

**Green Algae**

 * Green algae are very similar to plants, with the same photosynthetic pigments and cell walls.
 * Have chlorophyll a and b.
 * Found in fresh and salt water.
 * Unicellular green algae typically grow in ponds, and wet soil.
 * Colonial Green Algae live in multicellular colonies. They form threadlike colonies (filaments).
 * Multicellular green algae are typically found in rocky seacoasts.
 * Green algae have alternation of generations, just like in plants (recall that there is a haploid and diploid stage in these types of organisms).

Human Use (because that's all we really care about, right? kidding)
Algae produce a lot of the oxygen in Earth's atmosphere, so that's nice (appoximately half). Algae are also rich in vitamin C and iron (which you need if you're anemic like I am). It's in sushi! YAY! Or, if you're not one for sushi, algae is also in ice cream, salad dressing, pudding and candy bars. If that's the case, then I've eaten a LOT of algae in my life. Chemicals in algae also have industrial uses like in plastics and waxes.

Funguslike Protists (ew?)
Slime molds (what a name)
 * funguslike protists that play key roles in recycling organic materials.
 * Two types: cellular slime molds (cells are individual and distinct), acellular slime molds (cells are fused together)

Water Molds are racist against Irish people (they were the cause of the potato famine) booo.
 * Water molds are icky like slime molds.
 * They are oomycetes and thrive on dead or decaying organic matter in water, and they are plant parasites on land.
 * They produce filaments called **hyphae**.
 * They can be helpful as decomposers, but they also can harm living things.