Alexandrium tamarense: Difference between revisions
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==Description and significance== | ==Description and significance== | ||
''Alexandrium tamarense'' is a single-celled dinoflagellate found primarily in coastal marine environments and is commonly known as the culprit that causes the algal blooms called red tides. It is considered a photoautotroph and contains brown chloroplasts, is 25-46 micrometers in length, | |||
Like other dinoflagellate species, ''A. tamarense'' propels itself through water using two flagella in a whip-like fashion. It is also considered "armored" because it is surrounded by a layer of cellulose that form plates known as thecae. | |||
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why it is important enough to have its genome sequenced. Describe how and where it was isolated. | Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why it is important enough to have its genome sequenced. Describe how and where it was isolated. | ||
==Genome structure== | ==Genome structure== | ||
Revision as of 06:57, 1 April 2008
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Classification
Higher order taxa
Eukaryota; Alveolata; Dinophyceae; Gonyaulacales; Gonyaulacaceae
Domain; Phylum; Class; Order; family [Others may be used. Use Tree of Life link to find]
Species
Alexandrium tamarense
Description and significance
Alexandrium tamarense is a single-celled dinoflagellate found primarily in coastal marine environments and is commonly known as the culprit that causes the algal blooms called red tides. It is considered a photoautotroph and contains brown chloroplasts, is 25-46 micrometers in length,
Like other dinoflagellate species, A. tamarense propels itself through water using two flagella in a whip-like fashion. It is also considered "armored" because it is surrounded by a layer of cellulose that form plates known as thecae.
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why it is important enough to have its genome sequenced. Describe how and where it was isolated.
Genome structure
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence? Does it have any plasmids? Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?
Cell structure and metabolism
Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
Ecology
Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.
Pathology
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
Application to Biotechnology
Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?
Current Research
Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required
References
[http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/modeling/wgulf/wgulf.html Don Anderson WHOI, danderson@whoi.edu Brad Butman USGS, bbutman@usgs.gov Peter Franks SIO, pfranks@ucsd.edu Rocky Geyer WHOI, rgeyer@whoi.edu Ted Loder UNH, ted.loder@unh.edu Rich Signell USGS, rsignell@usgs.gov Bruce Keafer WHOI, bkeafer@whoi.edu Derek Fong WHOI, thewho@fog.whoi.edu "Toxic "Red Tide" Populations in the Western Gulf of Maine: Sources, Transport, and Nutrient Environment]