NEETBotanyBiological Classification
What is the main characteristic of dinoflagellates?
Options
- AThey are mostly marine and photosynthetic
- BThey are terrestrial and non-photosynthetic
- CThey are freshwater and non-photosynthetic
- DThey are terrestrial and photosynthetic
Correct answer
A. They are mostly marine and photosynthetic
Step-by-step solution
These organisms are mostly marine and photosynthetic. They appear yellow, green, brown, blue or red depending on the main pigments present in their cells. The cell wallhas stiff cellulose plates on the outer surface. Most of them have two flagella; one lies longitudinally and the other transversely in a furrow between the wall plates. Very often, red dinoflagellates (Example: Gonyaulax) undergo such rapid multiplication that they make the sea appear red (red tides). Toxins released by such large numbers may even ki