Question

Golden algae are a group of protists whose color is due to carotenoid pigments: yellow and brown. Most have two flagella

and all are photosynthetic. A group of students was given a significant sample of one of these (Dinobryon) that is colonial.
Their instructions for the project were to design two or more experiments that could be done with these organisms.

For their second experiment, the students want to know whether the Dinobryon have to live in colonies or can be
free living. How might they proceed?

A) Divide a sample into single cells and measure the length of time they remain this way.
B) Observe whether only specialized cells are able to divide to produce new colonies.
C) Divide a sample into single cells and see whether they come back together.
D) Observe each day to see whether new organisms are ever reproduced as single cells.
E) Divide a sample into single cells and observe them."

Answer 1

To determine whether Dinobryon can live in colonies or be free-living, the students can divide a sample into single cells and observe the length of time they remain this way. They can also observe whether only specialized cells are able to divide to produce new colonies. Additionally, they can observe whether new organisms are reproduced as single cells each day.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine whether Dinobryon can live in colonies or be free-living, the students can proceed with several experiments:

1. Divide a sample into single cells and measure the length of time they remain this way. If they remain as single cells for an extended period, it suggests that they can be free-living.
2. Observe whether only specialized cells are able to divide to produce new colonies. If specialized cells are required for colony formation, it suggests that Dinobryon are colonial organisms.
3. Observe each day to see whether new organisms are ever reproduced as single cells. If new organisms are consistently produced as single cells, it suggests that Dinobryon can exist as free-living individuals.