Q. A slide under microscope shows following features:
(i) Unicellularity
(ii) Well defined nucleus
(iii) Biflagellate-one flagellum lying longitudinally and the other transversely
What would you identify it as?

 2422  236 Biological Classification Report Error

Solution:

Dinoflagellates are basically unicellular, motile and biflagellate, golden brown, photosynthetic protists. The two flagella are different (heterokont), one transverse flagellum and other longitudinal flagellum. The longitudinal flagellum is narrow, smooth, directed posteriorly and lies in the sulcus. The transverse flagellum is ribbon-like and lies in the cingulum or annulus. The two types of flagella beat in different directions. A well defined nucleus is present, which has been named as mesokaryon.