Bacteria
What is Bacteria?
Bacteria are microscopic one-celled, prokaryotic organisms that belong to neither plant or animal. Bacteria is everywhere. Some that cause infectious bacterial diseases but some are good and help animals digest food.
Bacteria in the Park
Don't worry these bacteria won't cause disease. Because of the great vast diversity of species at the National Park of American Samoa, the animals must have bacteria, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, that assist in the breaking down of food in the small intestines of many animals.
Role in Ecosystem
The role of Lactobacillus acidophilus is to break down food in the digestive tract of animals. Humans also have Lactobacillus acidophilus. Without it our digestive system would not function properly.
Bacteria are microscopic one-celled, prokaryotic organisms that belong to neither plant or animal. Bacteria is everywhere. Some that cause infectious bacterial diseases but some are good and help animals digest food.
Bacteria in the Park
Don't worry these bacteria won't cause disease. Because of the great vast diversity of species at the National Park of American Samoa, the animals must have bacteria, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, that assist in the breaking down of food in the small intestines of many animals.
Role in Ecosystem
The role of Lactobacillus acidophilus is to break down food in the digestive tract of animals. Humans also have Lactobacillus acidophilus. Without it our digestive system would not function properly.
Protist
What is a Protist?
Protista is a very diverse kingdom. Organisms that don’t really fit anywhere else are protists. All Protist cells have nuclei and live in most environments.
Protist in the Park
Red Algae (Laurencia complanata) is found in the waters surrounding the American Samoa. Red Algae utilize light energy in the process of reducing CO2 to the oxidation state of cellular carbon.
Role in Ecosystem
Algae are the ultimate source of both cellular carbon and chemical energy for other organisms, and because of this are often called primary producers. The oxygen released by algae and oxygen uptake by aeration are the two major sources of oxygen in flowing surface waters.
Protista is a very diverse kingdom. Organisms that don’t really fit anywhere else are protists. All Protist cells have nuclei and live in most environments.
Protist in the Park
Red Algae (Laurencia complanata) is found in the waters surrounding the American Samoa. Red Algae utilize light energy in the process of reducing CO2 to the oxidation state of cellular carbon.
Role in Ecosystem
Algae are the ultimate source of both cellular carbon and chemical energy for other organisms, and because of this are often called primary producers. The oxygen released by algae and oxygen uptake by aeration are the two major sources of oxygen in flowing surface waters.
Fungi
What is Fungi?
Unicellular or Multicellular organisms that obtain food through hyphae that grow into the food source. They produce spores or budding asexually. Can also reproduce sexually by fusing hyphae.
Fungus in the Park
Violet Coral (Clavaria zollingeri) is found in the near waters of the coastal lines of American Samoa.
Role in Ecosystem
Healthy coral reefs are the foundation of many tropical ecosystems and provide livelihood, food, enjoyment and cultural significance for millions of people around the world.
Unicellular or Multicellular organisms that obtain food through hyphae that grow into the food source. They produce spores or budding asexually. Can also reproduce sexually by fusing hyphae.
Fungus in the Park
Violet Coral (Clavaria zollingeri) is found in the near waters of the coastal lines of American Samoa.
Role in Ecosystem
Healthy coral reefs are the foundation of many tropical ecosystems and provide livelihood, food, enjoyment and cultural significance for millions of people around the world.