Phaeocystis

This single-celled alga forms large colonies in the Southern Ocean and leaks mucus, an antibiotic, sulphur gases (which are important in forming clouds over the ocean) and a "sunscreen" which protects the cells in the colony from the damaging rays of the sun. In summer when the Phaeocystis multiplies so rapidly that an algal bloom develops the sea turns oily, brown and smells of boiled cabbage. In the motile (or moving) stage of its life cycle the alga has two hair-like flagella with which it swims. It also produces a network of long-armed 5-pointed stars.

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