Labs (Quiz 1)

Question 1

What are the three autotrophs that we thank for being primary producers of >50% of our energy?

Answer 1

1. Dinoflagellates
2. Diatoms
3. Cyanobacteria

Question 2

Where can we find the majority of Earth’s marine autotrophs?

Answer 2

The Photic Zone(where light penetrates)
The Epipelagic Zone (~200 ft down)

Question 3

What are the official names of:
1. Green Algae
2. Brown Algae
3. Red Algae

Answer 3

1. Chlorophyta (Green)
2. Phaeophyta (Brown)
3. Rhodophyta (Red)

Question 4

What are the important pigments associated with brown algae? (Phaeophyta)

Answer 4

1. Chlorophylls A & C
2. Fucoxanthin (brown)

Question 5

What are the important pigments associated with red algae?
(Rhodophyta)

Answer 5

1. Chlorophyll A & D
2. Phycoerythrin (red)

Question 6

What are the three primary commercial uses of algaes?

Answer 6

1. Algin (kelp, green algae), used to keep foods together
2. Agar (red algae) thickening, pharmaceuticals
3. Carrageenan (red algae), a thickening agent, red dye

Question 7

What makes Coralline Algae so special?

Answer 7

It is a red algae that is made up of a Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) skeleton. This algae plays a crucial role in the structure of coral reefs.

Question 8

What pigments are associated with green algae?
(Chlorophytes)

Answer 8

1. Chlorophylls A & B

Question 9

What is a Pigment?

Answer 9

A molecule capable of absorbing light.

Question 10

What are the two primary groups of photosynthetic pigments?

Answer 10

1. Chlorophyll A
2. Accessory Pigments
   (ex. carotenoids, other cholorphylls, phycobilins)