Greetings, microbe enthusiasts! After an exciting American road trip, I’m thrilled to return and explore the fascinating world of Tetraselmis suecica – a tiny yet captivating algae species found in our oceans.
Tetraselmis: A Swift Microscopic Swimmer
Tetraselmis, measuring just 12 micrometres in diameter, is an incredibly swift mover in its watery environment. Despite its tiny size, this algae’s movement is akin to penguins on a hunt – fast and agile. Its secret? Four long, whip-like flagella that extend from the front of the cell. These flagella move in a coordinated breaststroke pattern, pulling the algae forward like a tiny swimmer.
However, Tetraselmis isn’t a smooth swimmer. Its movement involves a fair amount of rocking and tumbling, with swimming speeds that vary. Despite this, its average speed is an impressive 120 μm/s – about ten times its body length per second! When it tumbles, Tetraselmis slows down to a stop, changes orientation, and then darts off in a new direction.
Nature’s Brilliant Adaptation
The flagella’s movement is a beautiful example of nature’s adaptability, allowing Tetraselmis to maneuver quickly and efficiently in its aquatic environment. This mobility plays a vital role in its survival and interaction with other organisms in the ocean.
A Nutritional Powerhouse
But there’s more to Tetraselmis than just its speed. This tiny algae is packed with essential nutrients, making it a valuable source of food and medicine for both humans and animals. It contains EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), linoleic acid, and an abundance of vitamins and pigments such as chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, lutein, neoxanthin, violaxanthin, diadinoxanthin, zeaxanthin, and β-carotene. These components are known to stimulate cellular repair, reduce oxidative stress, protect against UV radiation, and provide anti-inflammatory benefits.
Due to its rich nutritional profile, Tetraselmis is highly sought after by zooplankton and fish – proving just how vital this tiny organism is in the marine food chain.
Hidden Wonders of Tetraselmis
Tetraselmis suecica has many more secrets to uncover, but I’ll save those for future posts. For now, let’s appreciate the complex beauty of this microscopic marvel and its significant impact on both the marine ecosystem and our own well-being.
Stay tuned for more updates from the microcosm, and until then, enjoy the wonders of the natural world around us!
*This video was made for and is property of Micropia.
