Chromalveolata

1. Chromalveolata By Jasper Ophel, Keith Morrison, Karina Veloso, Emily Lima

2. Features • Many contain plastids from red algae and originated from red algae • Very diverse supergroup • Stramenopiles are mainly photosynthetic • They have a hairy flagellum paired with a non-hairy flagellum • Alveolates have alveoli, membrane bounded sac, under the plasma membrane • Cellulose in most cell walls • Most have chloroplasts

3. Common Species and Characteristics • Phytophthorainfestansis a water mold that caused the Irishpotato famine, it was thought to be a fungi, as it has fungal hyphae– like appendages, but was later found to be a protist. • Diatoms are a greatly diverse group of unicellular algae, diatoms have exteremly complex three dimensional walls that can withstand forces greater than 60% of what a normal cell wall can handle. This protects them from predators. • Siliceous shells of diatoms are used for reflective paint, toothpaste, and diatomaceous earth (filter) • Diatoms are one of the major photosynthetic producers and produce much of the oxygen we breathe, also take in much of the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

4. Ecological and Evolutionary Significance • Originated from red algae more than a billion years ago • Dinoflagellates make red tides which hurt fish and oyster populations • Oomycetes are water molds and serve as decomposers • Diatoms are photosynthetic and produce much of the oxygen and take in much of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere • Apicomplexans are harmful parasites to animals • Brown algae or Kelp creates a habitat for marine creatures and is a main part of the diet of coastal communities

5. Pictures