Chapter 5 -- Algae

Question 1

Pyrrophyta

Answer 1

algae, dinoflaggellate – cause of “red tide” – they spin in the water due to flagella – give off toxins that cause food poisoning with neurological symptoms – 48 hours after red tide is gone the shellfish should be safe to consume

Question 2

Misc

Answer 2

protist – photosyntheic organisms, may or may not have flagella, contains chloroplasts, cell wall composition varies, most are free living in water, mostly non pathogenic

Question 3

Diatoms

Answer 3

glassy

Question 4

Gelidium

Answer 4

red marine algae used to make agar

Question 5

Alexandrium (aka Gonyaulax)

Answer 5

dinoflagellate, produces SAXITOXIN that causes PSP paralytic shellfish poisoning – if cooked well its safe

Question 6

Saxotoxin

Answer 6

produced by Alexandrium, causes PSP paralytic shellfish poisoning, safe if cooked well

Question 7

Gambierdiscus

Answer 7

mostly in New England/Caribbean – dinoflaggelate, produces cigua toxin in game fish like grouper & red snapper, causes disease CIGUATERA, toxin not inactivated by cooking – death likely

Question 8

CIGUA

Answer 8

produced CIGUATERA, not inactiviated by cooking. In game fish, mostly carribean and new england – produced by gambierdiscus

Question 9

Pfiesteria

Answer 9

dinoflagellate that produced 2 toxins – waterborne (causes itching and rash) and airborne (brain damage) : attracted to fish feces