Diversity and Evolution Flashcards
Polyphyletic
Group composed of a collection of organisms but most recent common ancestor not included
Paraphyletic
Group composed of a collection of organisms including most recent common ancestor but not all descendants
Definition of algae
Plastid-bearing protists - predominantly aquatic, has a plastid (chloroplast), performs photosynthesis
Thallophytes
Plants without rooms, stems, leaves, with chlorophyll as primary photosynthetic pigment
Phytoplankton
Functional group of single-celled organisms with capacity for photosynthesis, adapted to live in open water
Seaweeds
Informal group of macroscopic, multicellular algae from multiple taxa
Periphyton
Complex mix of algae, cyanobacteria, heterotrophic microbes, and detritus attached to submerged surfaces in freshwater habitats (biofilm)
Epilimnion
Top layer in thermally stratified lakes
Hypolimnion
Bottom layer in thermally stratified lakes
Stromatolites
Layered sedimentary formations created by mainly cyanobacteria in shallow waters, often found in extreme environments
Axoneme
Microtubule-based cytoskeletal structure that forms core of flagellum/cilium
Basal body
Where flagellum attaches to cell
Nexin link
Protein linking microtubule complexes that converts action of dynein into bending
Mucilage
Excretion external to cell wall that most algae produce
Coccolithophores
Unicellular marine algae in the phylum Haptophyta