The sacoglossan sea slug Elysia crispate can be found sunbathing on Caribbean reefs. The slug feeds on green algae but can survive for more than a month without eating. This is because sea slugs store chloroplasts, organelles in the cells of plants and algae that capture energy from sunlight and convert it to chemical energy by photosynthesis, as they ingest different species of green algae. The chloroplasts are stored in the slug’s digestive epithelium and remain active for up to 3-4 months, providing nutrients from photosynthesis, as well as camouflage by making the slug green in color. “Kleptoplasty,” or “stolen plastids,” is the term for the slugs’ remarkable ability. Some marine protists including foraminifera, dinoflagellates, and ciliates are capable of kleptoplasty, but sea slugs are the only animals to exhibit kleptoplasty. They represent a powerful model system for studying the evolution of photosynthesis in eukaryotes through multiple endosymbiotic events.
Source: http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/slug-power
Source: http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/slug-power
Welcome to Collea's Corner
His job is to shed light and not to master.
- Robert Hunter
This will be my 34th year teaching high school biology and my..."what a long strange trip it's been." I've had many teachers help me develop my courses and the many resources found on this website along the way. Many thanks go to the late Kim Foglia, her website and materials have been a starting point for me and many other biology teachers around the world. Without her passion and educational expertise, I would be years behind where I am now. I would also like to thank my former colleague Jason Goldberg from Colonie High School. Jay has supplied me with the format and many resources and links used throughout this website. Working with him was one of the many highlights of my teaching career. Thanks Jay!
His job is to shed light and not to master.
- Robert Hunter
This will be my 34th year teaching high school biology and my..."what a long strange trip it's been." I've had many teachers help me develop my courses and the many resources found on this website along the way. Many thanks go to the late Kim Foglia, her website and materials have been a starting point for me and many other biology teachers around the world. Without her passion and educational expertise, I would be years behind where I am now. I would also like to thank my former colleague Jason Goldberg from Colonie High School. Jay has supplied me with the format and many resources and links used throughout this website. Working with him was one of the many highlights of my teaching career. Thanks Jay!
Dan Collea
Biology Teacher
North Salem High School
230 June Road
North Salem, NY 10560
914-669-5414 Ext. 2116
(Please use cell phone for emergencies only and if WiFi is down.)
[email protected]
District Calendar
Extra Help
Tuesday 2:15 - 3:00
Wednesday 2:15 - 3:00
Room W19
Biology Teacher
North Salem High School
230 June Road
North Salem, NY 10560
914-669-5414 Ext. 2116
(Please use cell phone for emergencies only and if WiFi is down.)
[email protected]
District Calendar
Extra Help
Tuesday 2:15 - 3:00
Wednesday 2:15 - 3:00
Room W19
