Final answer:
The dinoflagellate known as Karenia brevis is responsible for the phenomenon known as red tide. These organisms reproduce rapidly under the right conditions, creating a high concentration of cells that can produce toxins and discolor the water. The toxins are harmful to marine life and can cause respiratory irritation in humans.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dinoflagellate responsible for the famous red tide is the species known as Karenia brevis. Dinoflagellates are a type of microscopic, single-celled organism, many of which are photosynthetic in nature and contribute to the formation of plankton. When conditions are right, these organisms can reproduce rapidly in a process called a population bloom. When a bloom of Karenia brevis occurs, the cells can produce toxins that can discolor the water, resulting in a red tide.
The red color is due to the high concentration of the microscopic algae, and it is damaging to the marine ecosystem. The toxins produced by Karenia brevis during a red tide can cause the death of fish, birds, and marine mammals, and can also cause respiratory irritation in humans and other animals when they breathe in the air near the red tide.
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