ALGAE: PLANTLIKE
PROTISTS
19.2
Characteristics of Algae
•Photosynthesizing
•Both uni and multicellular
•Contain chlorophyll and
pigments that give them a
variety of colors
Six Phyla of Algae
1.Euglenoids
• Unicellular, aquatic protists
• Have both plant and animal
characteristics
• Move with flagella
2. Diatoms
•“Golden Algae”
•Unicellular, photosynthetic
•Live in freshwater and
marine ecosystems
•Store food as oils instead of
starches
•Reproduce asexually
. Dinoflagellates
•Have cell walls
•Come in a variety of
shapes/styles (some look like
helmets or suits of armor)
•Most live in marine
environments
•Cause a “Red Tide”
3
4. Red Algae
•Mostly multicellular marine
seaweed
•Have a body called a
“thallus”
•Live in deep water where
other seaweed cannot
survive
5. Brown Algae
•Live in cool, marine waters
•Have an air bladder to float
on water’s surface
•Ex. Kelp
6. Green Algae
•Most diverse algae
•Mostly live in fresh water
(live in oceans, soil, tree
trunks, snow, and fur of
sloths
•Reproduce sexually and
asexually
Fragmentation
•Form of reproduction used
by some green algae
•An individual breaks into
pieces and each piece grows
into a new individual
Alternation of Generation
Life cycle pattern of some
algae and all plants where
the organism alternates
between existing as a
haploid and diploid; creating
two different generations
Gametophyte
The haploid form of the
organism; produces gametes
Sporophyte
The diploid form of the organism
Page 516, Figure 19