Primary Producers Plants and Plant-like Organisms.
Transcript of Primary Producers Plants and Plant-like Organisms.
Primary Producers
Plants and Plant-like Organisms
Prokaryotes
• The simplest, most primitive forms of life
• No nucleus• No membrane
bound organelles
Multicellular AlgaeFlowering Plants
Primary Producers
Bacteria
ProtistProtozoans
Fungi
Bacteria• Prokaryotic and microscopic
• Single cell –usually rod shaped w/cell wall and plasma membrane
• Lacks microscopically visible organelles
• Smallest living creatures on earth
Heterotrophic Bacteria
• Heterotrophs – gather energy from other creatures
• Decomposers –break down waste and dead organic matter
• Found all over the ocean• Especially abundant in bottom
sediment
Autotrophic Bacteria
• Make their own organic compounds• Some are photosynthetic – derive
energy from sunlight.• Some are chemosynthetic – derive
energy from releasing energy stored in chemical compounds.
• Found all over
Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae)
• Photosynthetic bacteria• Contain chlorophyll and
phytcocyanin• Photosynthesis takes
place on membranes within the cell
• Usually microscopic but visible in chains
• Some species form red tides
Protista• Unicellular algae which
is eukaryotic• Plant-like and animal-
like• Cells have membranes,
organelles and chloroplasts (photosynthetic)
• Lack flowers, true leaves stems and roots
Diatoms - Protista• Unicellular, may form
chains• Unique “glassy” cell
wall• Carotenoid pigments • Live in temperate
and polar regions• Planktonic - Slowly
glide on surfaces• Reproduce asexually• If conditions are
right, blooms may occur
Dinoflagellates - Protista• Unicellular and
planktonic• 2 Flagella• Most have stiff cell
wall,have chlorophyll and can ingest food
• Found in warm and (2nd most popular)cold climates
• Reproduce asexually• Some can produce light
(bioluminescence)
Protozoans• Eukaryotic,
unicellular• Animal like –
ingest food • Some do
photosynthesize• Single cell• Inhabit water
everywhere
Foraminiferans - Protozoans
• Also called forams• Single cell• Have a shell made of
CaCO3
• Bottom dwellers, either free or attached
• Foraminiferan Ooze - Dead or detached shells covering the
ocean bottom
Radiolarians -
Protozoans• Planktonic• Secrete shells
made of glass• Spherical shape• Inhabit ocean
ocean• Radiolorian ooze
Ciliates - Protozoans
• Have hair like cilia which is used to move and feed
• Found in sea and fresh water
• May live on or in other water organisms.
Fungi• Eukaryotic• Plant-like, but
unable to perform photosynthesis
• Most are multi-cellular
• Many are decomposers
• Some are parasites
Multicellular Algae:
The Seaweeds• Eukaryotic
• Complex structures compared to unicellular algae
• Can grow tall and rise off the bottom
Structure of Seaweeds
Holdfast
The complete body is
known as the thallus.
Stipe
Pneumatocyst
Green Algae –
Multicellular algae
• Mostly found in freshwater, some marine
• Mostly unicellular
• Typically bright green
Brown Algae –
Multicellular Algae• Olive green to
dark brown color• Mostly marine• Most complex and
largest seaweeds• Kelp forests
• Grow in cool, nutrient rich waters
• Form of brown algae• Can grow to be 100
feet in length• Harvested to make
chemical to help manufacture medicines, plastics, beauty aids, paper, clothing, and processed foods
Giant Kelp
Red Algae –
Multicellular Algae• More species than green and brown
combined• They have red pigments called
phycobilins which mask chlorophyll• Most species are red• Mostly marine but, some live in fresh
water• Significant commercial importance to
humans• Coraline algae – deposite CaCO3
Flowering Plants
• Angiosperms – Have true leaves, stems
and roots– Specialized tissue to
transport water nutrients and food
– Mangroves and seagrasses
– Usually only roots covered by water at high tide.
Mangroves• Found in tropical
and subtropical areas
• Tolerate a wide range of salinity
• Protect the area from storm surges, erosion, and tsunamis
• Wide variety of types of mangroves exist