Primary Producers

Plants and Plant-like Organisms

Prokaryotes

• The simplest, most primitive forms of life

• No nucleus• No membrane

bound organelles

Multicellular AlgaeFlowering Plants

Primary Producers

Bacteria

ProtistProtozoans

Fungi

Bacteria• Prokaryotic and microscopic

• Single cell –usually rod shaped w/cell wall and plasma membrane

• Lacks microscopically visible organelles

• Smallest living creatures on earth

Heterotrophic Bacteria

• Heterotrophs – gather energy from other creatures

• Decomposers –break down waste and dead organic matter

• Found all over the ocean• Especially abundant in bottom

sediment

Autotrophic Bacteria

• Make their own organic compounds• Some are photosynthetic – derive

energy from sunlight.• Some are chemosynthetic – derive

energy from releasing energy stored in chemical compounds.

• Found all over

Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae)

• Photosynthetic bacteria• Contain chlorophyll and

phytcocyanin• Photosynthesis takes

place on membranes within the cell

• Usually microscopic but visible in chains

• Some species form red tides

Protista• Unicellular algae which

is eukaryotic• Plant-like and animal-

like• Cells have membranes,

organelles and chloroplasts (photosynthetic)

• Lack flowers, true leaves stems and roots

Diatoms - Protista• Unicellular, may form

chains• Unique “glassy” cell

wall• Carotenoid pigments • Live in temperate

and polar regions• Planktonic - Slowly

glide on surfaces• Reproduce asexually• If conditions are

right, blooms may occur

Dinoflagellates - Protista• Unicellular and

planktonic• 2 Flagella• Most have stiff cell

wall,have chlorophyll and can ingest food

• Found in warm and (2nd most popular)cold climates

• Reproduce asexually• Some can produce light

(bioluminescence)

Protozoans• Eukaryotic,

unicellular• Animal like –

ingest food • Some do

photosynthesize• Single cell• Inhabit water

everywhere

Foraminiferans - Protozoans

• Also called forams• Single cell• Have a shell made of

CaCO3

• Bottom dwellers, either free or attached

• Foraminiferan Ooze - Dead or detached shells covering the

ocean bottom

Radiolarians -

Protozoans• Planktonic• Secrete shells

made of glass• Spherical shape• Inhabit ocean

ocean• Radiolorian ooze

Ciliates - Protozoans

• Have hair like cilia which is used to move and feed

• Found in sea and fresh water

• May live on or in other water organisms.

Fungi• Eukaryotic• Plant-like, but

unable to perform photosynthesis

• Most are multi-cellular

• Many are decomposers

• Some are parasites

Multicellular Algae:

The Seaweeds• Eukaryotic

• Complex structures compared to unicellular algae

• Can grow tall and rise off the bottom

Structure of Seaweeds

Holdfast

The complete body is

known as the thallus.

Stipe

Pneumatocyst

Green Algae –

Multicellular algae

• Mostly found in freshwater, some marine

• Mostly unicellular

• Typically bright green

Brown Algae –

Multicellular Algae• Olive green to

dark brown color• Mostly marine• Most complex and

largest seaweeds• Kelp forests

• Grow in cool, nutrient rich waters

• Form of brown algae• Can grow to be 100

feet in length• Harvested to make

chemical to help manufacture medicines, plastics, beauty aids, paper, clothing, and processed foods

Giant Kelp

Red Algae –

Multicellular Algae• More species than green and brown

combined• They have red pigments called

phycobilins which mask chlorophyll• Most species are red• Mostly marine but, some live in fresh

water• Significant commercial importance to

humans• Coraline algae – deposite CaCO3

Flowering Plants

• Angiosperms – Have true leaves, stems

and roots– Specialized tissue to

transport water nutrients and food

– Mangroves and seagrasses

– Usually only roots covered by water at high tide.

Mangroves• Found in tropical

and subtropical areas

• Tolerate a wide range of salinity

• Protect the area from storm surges, erosion, and tsunamis

• Wide variety of types of mangroves exist