Sub: Biology Topic: Ecology

Question:
Summarize the two different camps of thought on the life cycle of Pfiesteria. Which set of
arguments do you find more appealing? Defend your answer. What will scientists need to do
before they can develop a test for sampling water for the toxin?

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Solution:
Life cycle:

Life cycle is the process for an organism in order revealing I generation of an organism through
the reproduction method. The reproduction is through asexual reproduction or sexual
reproduction.
The 3 types of cycles;
a) Haplontic Life cycle
b) Diplontic life cycle
c) Diplobiontic life cycle

a) Haplontic Life cycle:-

The haploid cells are produced as the two cell nuclei fuse together to form zygote
known as zygote meiosis after karyogamy. The zygote is formed by the fusion of male and
female gametes. The individuals or cells produces mitosis are haplonts and hence the cycle is
Haplontic life cycle. Haplonts are 7

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Sub: Biology Topic: Ecology

b) Diplontic life cycle:

In Diplontic life cycle in gamete meiosis, the zygote divides mitotically and produces a
multi-cellular diploid individual or a group or more unicellular diploid cells. Gametes or haploid
cells are produced when the diploid individuals undergo meiosis. It is known that haploid cells
may divide to form more haploid cells. The haploid cell is not the predominant life cycle.
In the whole cycle the gametes are haploid cells but mitosis usually occurs only in
diploid phase. The diploid multi-cellular individual is a diplont and so called as Diplontic life
cycle.

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Sub: Biology Topic: Ecology

Life cycle for Pfiesteria has become very controversial over the past few years regarding the
conflict of research results and public merry and if chance accepts what representations. The
conflict is that whether the structure is amoeba or not.

The research suggested that the life cycle of Pfiesteria piscicida with up to 24 different
stages with several amoeboid forms with toxic zoospores.

The action is that the organism is amoeboid form in nature and it is evident from the
structures provided below. Moreover the movement of the organism as said and color of the
organism are those that of amoeba.

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 Sub: Biology Topic: Ecology

The other evidences are that P.Piscicidia is not the first dinoflagellate shown to produce
amoebae that dominates its life cycle or the first to exhibit a triphasic life cycle. Haidadinium
ichthyophilum, also a dinoflagellate ectoparasitic on three-spined stickleback, has four distinct
amoeboid stages, cysts and “gymnodinioid” swarmers. The life cycle of P.piscicidia is less than
H. Ichthyophilum due to the nutritional versalitiy exhibited by p.piscicidia.

The most important evidence is

During multiple Pfiesteria-linked fish kills, several of the life stages have been recorded within
the water column. The dominant amoeboid stages, are particularly abundant on sediments
regardless of fish availability, were ubiquitous during the fish kill events.
The analysis of ribosomal DNA sequences demonstrates that four dinoflagellate species such as
P.piscicida, a pfiesteria look-alike species, a cryptoperidinopsoid sp., and the obligate fish
parasite Amyloodinium ocellatum) are closely related members of an early ancestral group
(Blastodiniphyceae).
These are the strong evidences that show the organism is amoeboid in nature.
The scientists usually try to develop a standard procedure for testing the sample. Before, that
they will clearly analyze the characteristics of the organisms, its surroundings, they will try to
spot out the exact reason for the growth of the organism. Then they will prepare for the sample
test.

** End of the Solution **

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