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In a reversal of the pattern on land, in the oceans, almost all photosynthesis is performed by algae and cyanobacteria, with a small fraction contributed by vascular plants and other groups. Algae encompass a diverse range of organisms, ranging from single floating cells to attached seaweeds. They include photoautotrophs from a variety of groups.
There are many variations to the general phycobilisome structure. Their shape can be hemidiscoidal (in cyanobacteria) or hemiellipsoidal (in red algae). Species lacking phycoerythrin have at least two disks of phycocyanin per rod, which is sufficient for maximum photosynthesis. [6]
Microalgae, capable of performing photosynthesis, are important for life on earth; they produce approximately half of the atmospheric oxygen [2] and use the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide to grow photoautotrophically. "Marine photosynthesis is dominated by microalgae, which together with cyanobacteria, are collectively called phytoplankton."
Marine microorganisms known as cyanobacteria first emerged in the oceans during the Precambrian era roughly 2 billion years ago. Over eons, the photosynthesis of marine microorganisms generated by oxygen has helped shape the chemical environment in the evolution of plants, animals and many other life forms.
The name "cyanobacteria" (from Ancient Greek κύανος (kúanos) 'blue') refers to their bluish green color, [7] [8] which forms the basis of cyanobacteria's informal common name, blue-green algae, [9] [10] [11] although as prokaryotes they are not scientifically classified as algae.
Marine algae can be divided into six groups: green, red and brown algae, euglenophytes, dinoflagellates and diatoms. Dinoflagellates and diatoms are important components of marine algae and have their own sections below. Euglenophytes are a phylum of unicellular flagellates with only a few marine members. Not all algae are microscopic.
Sponges (phylum Porifera) have a large diversity of photosymbiote associations. Photosymbiosis is found in four classes of Porifera (Demospongiae, Hexactinellida, Homoscleromorpha, and Calcarea), and known photosynthetic partners are cyanobacteria, chloroflexi, dinoflagellates, and red and green (Chlorophyta) algae.
Dunaliella is a single-celled, photosynthetic green alga, that is characteristic for its ability to outcompete other organisms and thrive in hypersaline environments. [1] It is mostly a marine organism, though there are a few freshwater species that tend to be more rare. [2]