Water is not only the most abundant liquid on earth, but it’s vital to life–so it’s no surprise that the majority of life has evolved to thrive on and under its surface. Moving efficiently in and on this dense and dynamic substance presents unique challenges and opportunities for living systems. As a result, they have evolved countless solutions to optimize drag, utilize surface tension, fine tune buoyancy, and take advantage of various types of currents and fluid dynamics. For example, sharks can slide through water by reducing drag due to their streamlined shape and specially shaped features on their skin.
Kingdom Protista (“the very first”): slime molds, giant kelp, red and brown algae
Protists are a numerous, diverse group of organisms that, in the simplest definition, are defined by what they are not. Protists are not plants, animals, fungi, or bacteria. Some protists, like Plasmodium, are harmful parasites that cause malaria. While many are small, obscure, and go unnoticed, others are important foodstuffs. The largest protist in the world, giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera), is utilized by humans and marine species for food and shelter.
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