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Related Concept Videos

Other Algae01:19

Other Algae

307
The group Stramenopiles include some phototrophic microorganisms. Members of this group possess flagella covered in numerous short, hairlike extensions, a feature that inspired the group's name, derived from the Latin words for "straw" and "hair." Some of the main categories of Stramenopiles include diatoms, golden algae, and brown algae.Diatoms are unicellular, photosynthetic eukaryotes, with over 200 known genera. They play a key role in the planktonic communities of both marine and...
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Red Algae01:23

Red Algae

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Red algae, also known as rhodophytes, are primarily found in marine environments, though some species inhabit freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. These organisms exist in both unicellular and multicellular forms, with some multicellular varieties reaching macroscopic sizes.As phototrophic organisms, red algae contain chlorophyll a; however, their chloroplasts lack chlorophyll b. Instead, they possess phycobiliproteins, which serve as major light-harvesting pigments, similar to those found in...
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Green Algae01:21

Green Algae

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Green algae, also referred to as chlorophytes, are different from red algae in having the chloroplasts containing chlorophylls a and b, which give them their distinct green hue. However, they lack phycobiliproteins, preventing them from developing the red or blue-green pigmentation seen in red algae. In terms of photosynthetic pigment composition, green algae closely resemble plants and share a close evolutionary relationship with them. Taxonomically Green algae belong to Phylum Chlorophyta in...
602

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Accumulation and Distribution of Fluorescent Microplastics in the Early Life Stages of Zebrafish
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Polystyrene microplastics decrease accumulation of essential fatty acids in common freshwater algae.

Irina A Guschina1, Anthony J Hayes1, Stephen J Ormerod1

  • 1School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, United Kingdom.

Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
|April 2, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Polystyrene microplastics alter lipid and fatty acid profiles in the alga Chlorella sorokiniana. This impacts photosynthesis and potentially food webs, highlighting microplastic risks to aquatic ecosystems.

Keywords:
Aquatic ecosystemsChlorellaLipidsPlastic pollutionPrimary producers

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Marine Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Microplastic pollution is a growing concern in aquatic environments.
  • The specific pathways and molecular mechanisms of microplastic toxicity in algae are poorly understood.
  • Algal lipids and fatty acids play crucial roles in cellular functions and stress responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) on the lipid and fatty acid composition of the alga Chlorella sorokiniana.
  • To test the hypothesis that lipids and fatty acids are key molecules involved in algal responses to microplastic exposure.
  • To assess potential implications for photosynthesis and aquatic food webs.

Main Methods:

  • Laboratory exposure of Chlorella sorokiniana to polystyrene microplastics (<70 μm).
  • Analysis of lipid and fatty acid profiles, including essential fatty acids, storage triacylglycerols, waxes, steryl esters, and galactolipids (MGDG, DGDG).

Main Results:

  • PS-MPs significantly reduced essential fatty acids like linoleic acid (ALA) and increased oleic acid in C. sorokiniana.
  • Alterations were observed in the fatty acid composition of storage lipids, waxes, and steryl esters.
  • Changes in chloroplast galactolipids (MGDG, DGDG) suggest impaired photosynthetic complex structure and function.

Conclusions:

  • Polystyrene microplastics disrupt critical lipid synthesis pathways in algae.
  • These changes can affect algal cell membranes, photosynthesis, and potentially propagate through aquatic food webs.
  • Further research is needed on microplastic impacts on primary producers' lipid composition and food web dynamics.