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ChromistsThe kingdom Chromista is almost entirely comprised of aquatic, photosynthesising eukaryotic organisms[1]. They include diatoms, dinoflagellates, and a number of algae species such as golden-brown algae, brown algae, and yellow-green algae[1]. Their ability to photosythesise makes them key primary producers in a variety of aquatic systems, much like plant species[5]. However, even though chromists often share photosynthesis as a common process for deriving energy, they are distinctly different from plants. Quick fact
Chromista physical featuresChromists possess physical features that are unique to their kingdom and, as a result, are crucial in differentiating them from other biota. All chromists have flagellated cells in at least some portion of their life cycle, and they typically contain chlorophyll–a and –c, as opposed to chlorophyll–a and –b, which is the chlorophyll composition normally found in plant and green algae species[3]. Chromists also have cell structure characteristics that physically separate them from other eukaryotes such as rough endoplasmic reticulum-bound chloroplasts and nuclei, tubular cristae in their mitochondria and, commonly, the ability to manufacture calcium carbonate or silica skeletons via their golgi apparatus[2]. Additional information:References
Last updated: 5 October 2023 This page should be cited as: Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2023) Chromists, WetlandInfo website, accessed 30 August 2024. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/ecology/components/biota/chromists/ |