Question

State the importance of dinoflagellates and diatoms to humans?

Answer 1

Hint: The diatoms and dinoflagellates are the dominating phytoplankton groups world-wide and hence the most important prey organisms for zooplankton. They appear to be functional surrogates, as both compete for the new nutrients in a spring and are able to produce the spring blooms.

Complete answer:
• The dinoflagellates are the second major source of marine primary producers.
• They are one of the important parts of the food web in the oceans.
• They release a large amount of energy into planktonic food webs.
• They are the major source of the energy for other marine life.
• The diatoms are unicellular eukaryotic microalgae that play an important role ecologically.
• They fix about twenty percent of a total carbon.
• Similar to the dinoflagellates, they are also a major source of the marine primary producers.
• Both these organisms contribute to the climate change processes.
• They form the basis of the marine food web.

Additional information:
The dinoflagellates are an important component of the marine ecosystems as primary producers as well as for the parasites, symbionts, and the micrograzers. They also produce some of the most potent toxins known and are the main source of toxic red tides and other forms of fish and shellfish poisoning. The dinoflagellates are an important group of the phytoplankton that produce the oxygen in a marine and the freshwater. Because some of the dinoflagellates produce toxins, when there are too many in the water, they can creep up the food chain, killing animals and making the people sick.

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