1. Protists Adam Fairbanks Margaret Ireland Andrew Zhou

2. Phytoplankton

3. Autotrophic component of the plankton community Inhabit the uppermost layer (they get the most sun) of most oceans and bodies of fresh water Rely on minerals in the water for nutrients Phytoplankton: The Basics

4. Dinoflagellates

5. Unicellular algae, found in fresh and salt water Each species of dinoflagellates has a characteristic shape reinforced by plates of cellulose Most are photosynthesizers, but others are mixotrophic (chemoautotrophs and chemoheterotrophs) Algal Bloom: population explosion Some species are able to produce their own light through bioluminescence.

6. Pfisteria Genus of heterotrophic dinoflagellates discovered by researchers at NC State. Cause large fish kills in warm coastal waters because of neurotoxins they release, which affect muscle function, sometimes even deadly to humans Also called red tides, because of the reddish-orange color they turn the water

7. Diatoms

8. Photosynthetic – Important producer in marine ecosystem – Contain chlorophyll – Component of plankton Structure – skeleton is known as the frustule – Skeleton Made of silicon – Epitheca overlaps hypotheca in skelton Each made up of valve, flat plats, cingulum

9. Youtube Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2_H4vikJ yk (Dinoflagellates-Few seconds) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2_H4vikJ yk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCNjXaM PZxw (Interesting dinoflagellates) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCNjXaM PZxw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZ1pmnN U-sA (Diatoms) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZ1pmnN U-sA