GREEN ALGAE
CLASSIFICATION
Found in systems that have a kingdom of Protista and includes green algae in the
Plantae. Fagellate Mesostigma is one of the most basal green algae. It has similarities
to higher plants- as far as proportion goes.
NUTRITIONJust like higher plants, food reserves include oils and fats and also starch.
Green Algae can be one cell, aka unicellular. But it can also be
found as living as a “loose aggregation” of cells and multicellular.
They are found in fresh water, and contain membrane bound
nuclei and chloroplasts.
PHYLUM: Euglenozoa. Lives mostly in fresh water and only has three
membranes.
PHYLUM: Cercozoa. Contains a little nucleopmorph (relict of algaes nucelous).
LOCATION
(same as red algae)
Algae if found in marine habitats, usually grown in marine waters.
Algae can be important because studies have shown to have found
microscopic forms that live in the water column known as phytoplankton that
provides the food base for most marine food chains.
STRUCTURE
Green Algae contains chlorophylls (a and b)- basically all forms have
chlorophlasts.
Xanthophylls and beta carotene gives the bright green color.
There are cell walls that contain cellulose.
You will find that all green algae have stacked thylakoids and mitochondria
with flat cristae.
Flagella is usually found with a pattern of a crossed-shaped system of fiber
strands and microtubules.
The way the organism is moved is through the use of flagella.
REPRODUCTION
They follow a cycle known as ‘alteration of generations’.
From identical cells to fertilization of one big non-motile cell, by a smaller one
which is known as oogamy- it varies.
You can find variation through the green basal algae that is known as
prasinophytes.
RED ALGAE
CLASSIFICATION
&
STRUCTURE
Contains chlorophylls (a and c).
Physically, the shape varies (ribbon shaped, reticulate, plate-like or a spiral).
There are one (sometimes more) perynoids found- that stores starch as well
as protein.
Chlorophyl pigments give red algae the red color. They are found in numerous
physical forms- fleshy plants, sheets and branched filaments.
Chromista- are known as being the first three groups that have the chloroplast
with exactly four membranes that retain a nucleomorph.
REPRODUCTION
Lack of motile sperm.
Water currents are their main transport of their gametes to female organs.
LOCATION
(same as green algae)
Algae if found in marine habitats, usually grown in marine waters. Algae can
be important because studies have shown to have found microscopic forms
that live in the water column known as phytoplankton that provides the food
base for most marine food chains.