Abstract
Exopolymers (EPS) are produced by unicellular and multicellular organisms. They consist largely of polysaccharides that hydrate rapidly on contact with water and link to form gels. EPS have many uses: in attachment; in locomotion on substrata; as a protection against predators, pathogens and changes in physico-chemical conditions; as a means of overcoming the threat of desiccation; in preventing abrasion; and in feeding. When free of organisms, some EPS form loosely associated polymer gels that are important in the development of organic matter aggregates. These aggregates, together with mucus-bound faecal pellets, play an essential role in nutrient cycling, and in the metabolism of ecosystems.;
Highlights
SCIENTIA MARINABIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY AT THE TURN OF THE MILLENIUM. J.D
Margalef (1985) describes the Mediterranean as “a living machine”
Sified as exopolymers (EPS) and these include the products of single cells and of multicellular organisms
Summary
BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY AT THE TURN OF THE MILLENIUM. J.D. SUMMARY: Exopolymers (EPS) are produced by unicellular and multicellular organisms They consist largely of polysaccharides that hydrate rapidly on contact with water and link to form gels. Some EPS form loosely associated polymer gels that are important in the development of organic matter aggregates. These aggregates, together with mucus-bound faecal pellets, play an essential role in nutrient cycling, and in the metabolism of ecosystems. – Los exopolímeros (EPS) son producidos por organismos unicelulares y pluricelulares. Cuando se hallan libres de organismos, algunos EPS forman geles de polímeros asociados de manera laxa que son importantes para el desarrollo de agregados de materia orgánica. Palabras clave: exopolímeros, mucus, organismos unicelulares, organismos pluricelulares, fibrilas, copos, agregados
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