Question

Red tide is caused by
A. Gonyaulax
B. Ceratium
C. Taceratium
D. All of these

Answer 1

Hint: The red tides caused by the dinoflagellates. These are serious because this organism produces saxitoxin which accumulates in shellfish and if ingested may lead to paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) and can lead to death.

Complete answer:
A red tide is caused by an increment in the population of toxic algae. A red tide occurs when the population of certain kinds of algae known as dinoflagellates(Gonyaulax) explodes, creating what's called an "algal bloom." Scientists sometimes refer to red tides as harmful algal blooms

The algal blooms decrease the oxygen content of the water. It is caused by microscopic algae, Gonyaulax and can kill large numbers of fish and other sea life including dolphins and manatees and can make shellfish poisonous to humans. It produces airborne toxins that can cause respiratory irritation. Red tide can cause skin irritations.

Red tides can last from days to may be months. The length of time that a plankton bloom continues depends on many factors, such as available nutrients,sunlight,water temperature, changes in wind or surf conditions, competition with other species, and grazing by zooplankton and small fish.

Swimming is safe for most people. However, the red tide can cause some people to suffer skin diseases like some type of irritation and burning eyes. If you experience some irritation, get out of the water and thoroughly wash off yourself.

Dinoflagellates can also be harmful to humans. Their toxins attack the neurological system, causing illnesses such as Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning, Ciguatera Fish Poisoning, and Possible Estuarine Associated Syndrome.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A).

Note: Gonyaulax spinifera has been connected to the production of some type of toxins known as yessotoxins ,it is a group of structurally related polyether toxins, that can accumulate in shellfish and produce symptoms that are similar to those produced by paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins.