dinoflagellate
Two-whipped marine cell
Dinoflagellates are single-celled marine organisms that use whip-like tails to propel themselves through water.
Most photosynthesize like plants, but some hunt prey.
Certain species produce bioluminescence—the blue glow in nighttime waves—while others cause toxic red tides that poison shellfish and fish.
They form a major component of ocean plankton.
Photosynthetic aquatic drifters
- chlorophyllLight-harvesting plant pigment
- photosynthesisLight-to-sugar conversion in plants
- eukaryoteOrganism with nucleated cells
- chloroplastLight-harvesting cell structure
algae bloom · diatom · microscopic · unicellular · protist · autotrophic · cell wall · flagella
Toxic algae discoloring seawater
- shellfish poisoningIllness from toxic mollusks
- paralyticUnable to move voluntarily
- neurotoxinPoison attacking neural tissue
- fish killSudden mass aquatic death
Steady, soft light
- red tideToxic algae discoloring seawater
- blue glowLight tinged with sky-color
- phosphorescenceHeatless delayed light emission
- light-emittingProducing visible radiation
shimmer · sparkle · luminescence · night light · glitter · twinkle · flash · flicker
Whiplike locomotion appendages
- thecaProtective biological envelope
- armoredProtected by metal covering
- unarmoredLacking protective covering
- grooveNarrow cut or routine
sulcus · eyespot · nucleus · pellicle · cell membrane
Massive saltwater body
- planktonDrifting marine microlife
- coral reefCalcium carbonate marine ecosystem
- symbiosisInterspecies biological interdependence
- pelagicOf the open sea
salinity · estuary · seawater · coastal · tropical · subtropical · tide pool · microorganism
phytoplankton
Photosynthetic aquatic drifters
- chlorophyllLight-harvesting plant pigment
- photosynthesisLight-to-sugar conversion in plants
- eukaryoteOrganism with nucleated cells
chloroplast · algae bloom · diatom · microscopic · unicellular · protist · autotrophic · cell wall · flagella
red tide
Toxic algae discoloring seawater
- shellfish poisoningIllness from toxic mollusks
- paralyticUnable to move voluntarily
- neurotoxinPoison attacking neural tissue
glow
Steady, soft light
- red tideToxic algae discoloring seawater
- blue glowLight tinged with sky-color
- phosphorescenceHeatless delayed light emission
light-emitting · shimmer · sparkle · luminescence · night light · glitter · twinkle · flash · flicker · gleam
flagella
Whiplike locomotion appendages
- thecaProtective biological envelope
- armoredProtected by metal covering
- unarmoredLacking protective covering
groove · sulcus · eyespot · nucleus · pellicle · cell membrane
ocean
Massive saltwater body
- planktonDrifting marine microlife
- coral reefCalcium carbonate marine ecosystem
- symbiosisInterspecies biological interdependence
pelagic · salinity · estuary · seawater · coastal · tropical · subtropical · tide pool · microorganism
dinoflagellatebacterium
Single-celled prokaryotic life
prokaryote · cyanobacterium · archaea · virus · prion