protists from which of the following taxonomic groups are most likely to lead to paralytic shellfish poisoning?
LectureNotes asked about the taxonomic group of protists that are most likely to lead to paralytic shellfish poisoning.
Answer: Protists from the Dinoflagellata group are most likely to lead to paralytic shellfish poisoning. Dinoflagellates are a type of microscopic algae that are commonly found in marine environments. Certain species of dinoflagellates produce toxins known as saxitoxins, which are responsible for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). These toxins can accumulate in the tissues of shellfish, such as clams, mussels, and oysters, when they feed on dinoflagellates during harmful algal blooms, also known as red tides. When humans consume contaminated shellfish, the toxins can cause symptoms such as numbness, tingling, dizziness, nausea, and in severe cases, paralysis and respiratory failure. It is important to monitor shellfish harvesting areas for the presence of harmful algal blooms and saxitoxin-producing dinoflagellates to prevent incidents of paralytic shellfish poisoning.