Alveolata
Habitat
Alveolata->dinoflagelleta-> ceratium, Pfiesteria: members of
plankton that live in some fresh water lakes, but mostly live in the
ocean. They live in the top 200 feet of the ocean and like the sun.
Many become symbiotic algae in their vegetative phase and live
with coral, sea anemones, jelly fish, and other invertebrates. They
cause red tides in coastal water.
Apicomplexa->plasmodium: parasitic, they live in between the
cells of both vertebrates and invertebrates.
Ciliophora->paramicium, stentor: live in the salt water, fresh
water, and water films around soil. Some symbiotic ones live in the
guts of vertebrates
Classification:
The broadest classification that Alveolates fit under is the
domain containing organisms with eukaryotic cells. Eukaryotic
cells are more complex than prokaryotic cells and contain a
plethora of single-celled organisms like Alveolates. Although the
Protist kingdom has been abandoned by some scientists due to its
ambiguity Alveolates fit under this kingdom because they fail to
classify under any other kingdom. All Alveolates are characterized
by having Alveoli, which are membrane-bound sacs located
directly under the plasma membrane. The function of these sacs is
unknown although theories are that they help stabilize the cell
surface or regulate the cell’s water and ion content. The phylum of
Alveolates has three different subphylums or clades, which include
Dinoflagellates, Apicomplexans, and Ciliates. The clade of
Dinoflagellates includes several thousands of known species, all of
which are components of phytoplankton and have a characteristic
shape with two flagella located in perpendicular grooves in the
cell’s “armor” which are actually internal plates of cellulose. The
clade of Apicomplexans contains parasitic Alveolates which all
have a complex of organelles used for penetration. Finally, the
clade of Ciliates contains a large and diverse group of Alveolates
that utilize cilia to mobilize and feed.
Nutrition
Different types of alveolates utilize different nutrient
obtaining methods. Some alveolates are autotrophic or
photoautotrophic, but most feed on other organisms in the
environment. Heterotrophic alveolates capture organisms often by
direct interception—for example, dinoflagellates use a feeding
tentacle to sweep in food—or, in the case of ciliates, by producing
currents with their cilia to drive food particles into the oral groove
in their membrane. Some alveolates, especially apicomplexans,
form symbiotic or parasitic relationships with a host (for example
dinoflagellates with coral or anemones, or apicomplexans with
many organisms including humans), feeding off of the energy
consumed/processed by the host. In parasitic relationships—like
that between humans and the apicomplexan that causes malaria—
this is detrimental to the host. Internally, alveolates have food
vacuoles that store energy within the cell’s cytoplasm until it can
be used. Many have a cytopharynx that serves as the equivalent of
a throat, a canal between where the food enters the membrane at
the oral groove and the food vacuole where it is kept.
Traits/Structure
Dinoflagellets, which have alveolata sac beneath the plasma
membrane, form armor like structure. Most Alveolata have
mitochondria with a tubeular structure. Biggest trait is the flattened
vesicles that support membrane. Alveolata have distinct flagella or
cilia
Dinflagellets, Apicocomplexa, and cilates are alveolata enclosed
under plasma membrane
Apicomplexa – parasites in animals. Use cilia to move around and
feed themselves, have 2 nuclei, use macronuclei in everyday
activies
Reproduction:
Apicomplexa-Asexual and sexual,in sexual a host enters and
divides tosporzoites that enter the cell. Eventually the cells burst
releasing merozites which infect new cells.
Ciliates- sexual and asexual, Reproduce using binary fission, the
micronucleas undergoes by mitosis and splits in half. The sexual
reproduction includes conjunction which involves 2 cells bonding
and the 2 cells dividing into 4.
Dinoflagelates- sexual and asexual, binary fission creates a zygote.
Dinoflagelets sometimes bloom and can create millions (ex.red
tide) when there is a large amount of nutrients available.
Parasitic;
Apicomplexa are a phylum of alveolates. They use the apical
complex to better help getting to a food source. The main food
source they use is the cells of animals. The cell can be anything
from that of an intestine to a red blood cell. Many apicomplexa
carry malaria, which infects the host(s) that they have invaded.