Chapter 06 - Multicellular Primary Producers: Seaweeds And Plants

Solution Manual for Marine Biology 10th Edition

Castro Huber 0078023068 9780078023064
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CHAPTER 6
MULTICELLULAR PRIMARY
PRODUCERS: SEAWEEDS AND PLANTS

Chapter Outline
6.1 Multicellular Algae: The Seaweeds
General Structure
Photosynthetic Pigments
Types of Seaweeds
Green Algae
Brown Algae
Red Algae
Life History
Economic Importance
6.2 Flowering Plants
Seagrasses
Salt-Marsh Plants
Mangroves
Box Readings:
6.1 Seaweeds for Gourmets
6.2 Eye on Science: Marine Algae as Biofuels

Chapter Summary
Chapter 6 surveys seaweeds and coastal plants. Though these organisms are placed in two separate kingdoms by
most biologists, they have been grouped in a single chapter as multicellular primary producers.
6-1
Copyright © 2016 McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized
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Chapter 06 - Multicellular Primary Producers: Seaweeds And Plants

The chapter covers basic information on the morphological characteristics and life histories of these organisms.
Though information about biodiversity, geographic distribution, and the diversity of habitats is given, specific
details about the ecology and the role marine primary producers play in the marine environment are highlighted in
chapters 10–16, where the ecology of various marine environments is surveyed. The ecology and human impact on
salt-marsh plants and mangroves are covered in more detail in Chapter 12; kelps and seagrasses in Chapter 13. Basic
information is covered as well as intriguing details to stimulate the interest of students. The chapter includes a new
section on photosynthetic and accessory pigments as well as expanded information on the reproduction of marine
flowering plants. Figure 6.11 now contrasts the generalized life cycle of flowering plants with that of the different
groups of seaweeds.
There is also a section on the economic importance of seaweeds and a box reading on seaweeds as human food,
which even includes a recipe. An end-of-chapter table summarizes the most important characteristics of the different
groups of seaweeds and marine flowering plants.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the most important morphological characteristics, ecological significance, and
economic importance of seaweeds.
2. Summarize the essential steps involved in the sexual reproduction of seaweeds.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the most important characteristics of marine flowering plants: seagrasses, salt-
marsh plants, and mangroves.

Answers to Critical Thinking Questions

1. Some biologists place the seaweeds in the kingdom Plantae, others consider seaweeds to be protists. Assume that
a better arrangement is to group the green, brown, and red algae in their own kingdom, which we will call
Macrophyta. Characterize the new kingdom by first giving its unique characteristics and then differentiate it from
the protists and the plants. Be sure to consider major exceptions or overlaps.
The hypothetical kingdom Macrophyta consists of organisms that are eukaryotic and mostly multicellular. There are
some unicellular forms, however, and some consist of a multinucleated thallus. Protists, on the other hand, are also
eukaryotic but mostly unicellular. Many are heterotrophs. Plants tend to show a more complex morphology,
including the reproductive system. Many, such as the flowering plants, always have true leaves, stems, and roots.
Like macrophytes, plants are autotrophs. Exceptions are some specialized parasites. Students, by the way, may not
be aware of some of these exceptions.
2. The actual color may vary among some species of red and brown algae. A particular species is collected as is
described as “dark red-brown.” How could we tell if the alga is a member of the Rhodophyta or of the Phaeophyta?
One possibility is to examine the reproductive structures of the alga because they differ in the two groups. This
difference is particularly noteworthy in Rhodophyta, where the life history includes a third generation that produces
carpospores, a feature absent in Phaeophyta. There is no alternation of generations in Rhodophyta, whereas it is
absent in Phaeophyta (see Fig. 6.11). The type of photosynthetic, or accessory, pigments, which can be chemically
analyzed, is different in both groups: Rhodophyta contains phycobilins, which are absent in Phaeophyta (see table
6.1).
3. Only very few flowering plants have invaded the oceans, but the few marine ones are very successful. What are
some possible reasons for the small number of marine flowering plants? How do those that have taken the step
manage to thrive in some environments?
One possibility is that few have evolved the necessary physiological adaptations that would allow them to overcome
the osmotic demands of living in a hypersaline environment (reference should be made to the section “Challenges of
Life in the Sea” in Chapter 4; problems and adaptations in salt-marsh plants are discussed in the section “Salt
Marshes” in Chapter 12). Another possibility is the disadvantages inherent in fertilization, which is dependent on
pollination, particularly in plants that rely on insects, which are practically absent in the marine environment.
6-2
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for sale or distribution in any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or
posted on a website, in whole or part.
Chapter 06 - Multicellular Primary Producers: Seaweeds And Plants

Competition by already-established seaweeds is another answer that may be given by students.

6-3
Copyright © 2016 McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized
for sale or distribution in any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or
posted on a website, in whole or part.