Your research group has isolated a single photosynthetic species from a marine sample.Interestingly enough, the morphology of the species seems to undergo changes based on the environmental conditions you subject it to.Upon closer inspection, you notice two flagella, one of which is nestled in an equatorial groove.Based on these observations, the organism is most likely
A) a bacterial endosymbiont that has been taken up by a new host.
B) a free-living dinoflagellate that can change lifestyles.
C) a member of the stramenopile clade.
D) undergoing directed evolution in the laboratory setting.
E) undergoing a type of programmed cell death.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presence of two flagella, with one nestled in an equatorial groove, is characteristic of dinoflagellates, which are known for their ability to change morphology based on environmental conditions. This makes option B, a free-living dinoflagellate that can change lifestyles, the most likely answer.

Your Research Group Has Isolated a Single Photosynthetic Species from a Marine