How phytoplankton function and survive in the ocean
How phytoplankton function and survive in the ocean
Learn about phytoplankton, plantlike types of microscopic algae that live suspended in bodies of water such as oceans. The term phytoplankton comes from the Greek words phyton (“plant”) and planktos (“wandering”). Examples of planktonic algae include diatoms and dinoflagellates.
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Transcript
NARRATOR: Among the most abundant phytoplankton in the oceans are diatoms. The living cell of each diatom is encased in a tiny glass box, like a pill box, with a top and a bottom that fit snugly together. Each type of diatom has unique sculpting and ornamentation that adorns the glass box. In the case of this diatom, jutting out at each end is a fierce-looking spine. Not all diatoms are individual cells. Many are colonies that form long chains or cling together as delicate pleated ribbons.
Another common type of phytoplankton are dinoflagellates. Unlike most diatoms, the dinoflagellates are mobile, propelling themselves with whiplike flagella.
These very small darting cells are microflagellates. How micro are microflagellates? Well, the dark specks moving near the microflagellate cell are individual bacteria.
Although many of the phytoplankton don't look or act in a manner that most of us think as plantlike, a look inside the cell reveals chloroplasts, the green organelles of photosynthesis. Phytoplankton are the major photosynthesizing organisms on Earth, more prolific than all the forests and jungles combined. Like all plants, phytoplankton need light. They maintain themselves in the surface waters of the ocean, where the sunlight is bright enough to carry on productive photosynthesis.
But how are these tiny plantlike organisms able to stay up near the surface? Well, these centric diatoms, for instance, make themselves more buoyant by storing oil, the orange-colored droplets scattered through the cell. This dinoflagellate is able to stay afloat by pumping heavy materials out of its body and storing lighter ones inside of its body; its form becomes less dense and therefore more buoyant.
For many diatoms, their sinking rate is greatly slowed by the water resistance provided by the quills, bristles, and spines that cover their glass shells. This diatom is an elegant example of form achieving function, and, as a bonus, it is often a work of exquisite beauty.
Another common type of phytoplankton are dinoflagellates. Unlike most diatoms, the dinoflagellates are mobile, propelling themselves with whiplike flagella.
These very small darting cells are microflagellates. How micro are microflagellates? Well, the dark specks moving near the microflagellate cell are individual bacteria.
Although many of the phytoplankton don't look or act in a manner that most of us think as plantlike, a look inside the cell reveals chloroplasts, the green organelles of photosynthesis. Phytoplankton are the major photosynthesizing organisms on Earth, more prolific than all the forests and jungles combined. Like all plants, phytoplankton need light. They maintain themselves in the surface waters of the ocean, where the sunlight is bright enough to carry on productive photosynthesis.
But how are these tiny plantlike organisms able to stay up near the surface? Well, these centric diatoms, for instance, make themselves more buoyant by storing oil, the orange-colored droplets scattered through the cell. This dinoflagellate is able to stay afloat by pumping heavy materials out of its body and storing lighter ones inside of its body; its form becomes less dense and therefore more buoyant.
For many diatoms, their sinking rate is greatly slowed by the water resistance provided by the quills, bristles, and spines that cover their glass shells. This diatom is an elegant example of form achieving function, and, as a bonus, it is often a work of exquisite beauty.