The sea slug Elysia chorotica has no nematocysts or dinoflagellates but, rather, has "naked" chloroplasts in its skin. The chloroplasts are all that remain of the seaweed (Vaucheria sp.) that Elysia feeds upon. The chloroplasts are transferred to the skin; consequently, this slug is green. It spends most of its time basking in shallow water on the surface of seaweeds. How should we expect its chloroplasts to benefit the Elysia sea slug?
A) provide Elysia with fixed nitrogen
B) provide Elysia with fixed carbon dioxide
C) provide Elysia with fixed oxygen
D) provide Elysia with a bright color that warns away potential predators

Question

The sea slug Elysia chorotica has no nematocysts or dinoflagellates but, rather, has "naked" chloroplasts in its skin. The chloroplasts are all that remain of the seaweed (Vaucheria sp.) that Elysia feeds upon. The chloroplasts are transferred to the skin; consequently, this slug is green. It spends most of its time basking in shallow water on the surface of seaweeds. How should we expect its chloroplasts to benefit the Elysia sea slug?
A) provide Elysia with fixed nitrogen
B) provide Elysia with fixed carbon dioxide
C) provide Elysia with fixed oxygen
D) provide Elysia with a bright color that warns away potential predators

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The chloroplasts in Elysia's skin are likely to photosynthesize and produce fixed carbon dioxide, which can then be used by the slug for its own metabolic purposes, such as energy production.

The Sea Slug Elysia Chorotica Has No Nematocysts or Dinoflagellates