Section 25.4 (Exam 2) Flashcards
Protists Are Critical Components of Many Ecosystems
Phytoplanktons are the ________________ of the oceans.
primary producers
The predominant component of oceanic phytoplankton are _________.
diatoms
Diatoms perform about ____________ of all photosynthetic carbon fixation on Earth.
1/5
Most aquatic heterotrophs depend on ______________.
phytoplankton
Plasmodium is an ________________, and the cause of malaria. It’s complex life cycle is spent within red blood cells. It cycles between two hosts, humans and ____________ mosquitos.
apicomplexan; Anopheles
Diatoms and dinoflagellates can produce both _________ and ___________, both harmful to aquatic ecosystems.
red tides; nerve toxins
Many microbial eukaryotes are endosymbionts. Many radiolarians have endosymbionts which result in their ________________ color.
golden brown
What does an endosymbiont offer a host?
carbon compounds
What does a host offer an endosymbiont?
nutrients and physical protection
What are some commercial uses of diatoms?
They can become petroleum and diatomaceous earth.
How can diatomaceous earth be used?
Insulation, filtration, metal polishing, and insecticide.
How does insecticide created with diatomaceous earth function?
It clogs the breathing tubes of insects.
Foraminiferans reproduce by _____________, and form entirely new shells for each daughter cell.
mitosis
Foraminiferan shells make up ________________.
sand of some beaches
Foraminiferan shells are preserved by marine sediments. because of this, they can be used to classify and __________________, and also estimate _____________ at the time shells were formed.
date sedimentary rocks; temperature
