Content Section - What is Algae?

Algae are organisms that are like plants many cells that let the macroalgae func-
and vegetables. They are commonly found tion. The main parts of the macroalgae are
living in the sea, rivers, lakes or ponds. All “the holdfast”, “the blade”, “the frond”,
algae make energy from the sun. There are “the stipe”, “the thallus”, “the mid-rib”
two different types of algae and they are and “the air-bladders”.
called “Macroalgae” and “Microal- gae”. The holdfast has an appearance similar to
Macroalgae are commonly the roots of plants but it does not provide
known as “seaweed”. The
Flower

word “macro“ means big so Air Bladder

you can think of a big plant

Leaf

Frond

that lives in the sea.

Stem

Thallus

This is Algeena who will be giving us Blade

information on macroalgae.

Midrib

This is Mike who will be giving us Holdfast

information on microalgae. Roots
Rock
Stipe

Microalgae are often called “phyto-

plankton”. The word “micro” means
very small so you can think of a small

plant that lives in the sea, rivers, ponds or any nutrients to the macroalgae. Nutrients
lakes. They are so small that you will be are absorbed by the entire macroalga from
unable to see them in the water with your the water. The holdfast provides support
eyes. They are normally viewed under a to the macroalga.
microscope. The blade is like the leaf of a tree and the
Macroalgae (Seaweed) is a multicellular stipe is like the stem of a flower, if
organism. This means that they contain present.

BioMara gratefully acknowledges the following funders:

A project supported by the

European Union’s INTERREG
IVA Programme managed by the
Special EU Programmes Body.
Lesson One. Page 1
The stipe transports nutrients to the hold- Diatoms are a type of microalgae. They
fast. A collection of blades is known as a have different shapes. Some are shaped
frond. The body of the macroalgae is known like spheres, elliptical (shaped like a rugby
as the thallus. ball), triangles and other diatoms may be
Some macroalgae have air-bladders to help shaped like a stars.
them float. The air-bladders contain gas They contain tiny amounts of oil within
and help lift the macroalgae to the surface their cell. The oil helps them move within
so that the organisms can get the water to find their food and nutrients.
sunlight. Other macroalgae that They are weak swimmers so the water
do not have air-bladders have long currents help them to move.
stipes to help them float to the sur- A diatom cell is surrounded by a silica shell
face. Some macroalgae have a mid- which makes the cell wall. The silica looks
rib which are located in the centre of like glass and is used to protect the cells.
the fronds. The cell wall within the diatom is like a box
Macroalgae are divided by their colour with an overlapping lid. They cannot move
into brown, green and red macroalgae. The themselves so they float free.
colour of the macroalgae are due to the
different pigments within the organisms. The second type of microalgae are called
There are brown, green and red pigments dinoflagellates. Most dinoflagellates have
within the various macroalgae. All macroal- two “flagella” which appear like short tails
gae have green pigments so they can make that help them move through the water.
energy from the sun. One flagellum is wrapped around the cell
Maerl is another type of marine alga. It and the other is visible and helps the
has a red colour and forms a tough crust. microalgae move. They can also use the oil
Maerl is small in size and you could hold it within their cell to sink or swim.
in your hand. Unlike other macroalgae they Dinoflagellates are surrounded by a tough
are not attached by a holdfast but live on shell which they use for protection.
the sea bed with the sand. Certain types ofdinoflagellates glow in the
dark at night when disturbed.
Microalgae are small floating organisms Diatoms and dinoflagellates grow very
that contain one cell and so are called quickly and large amounts are called algal
“unicellular” organisms. The cell is sur- bloom.
rounded by a cell wall. Microalgae can make Algal blooms can cause problems for the
their own energy and store their energy in environment. Both of these microalgae have
the cell. Microalgae are different in their the ability to cause food poisoning. Shell-
size, shape and colour. They are very small fish may eat the microalgae as their food
in size, usually one quarter of a millimetre. and if humans then eat the shellfish they
The colour of the microalgae cell depends may get sick. Some algal blooms are very
on their pigments. They can either appear beneficial to the environment making huge
blue-green, yellow, brown or orange. amounts of food for fish.

The two main types of microalgae are

“Diatoms” and “Dinoflagellates”.

Lesson One. Page 2

Activity Section – Lesson 1 – What is Algae?

Brief Summary
Aim: The overall aim of this lesson is to introduce algae and distinguish
between the different types of algae.

Algae are divided into macroalgae which are commonly known as seaweed
and microalgae which are sometimes known as phytoplankton. Both
macroalgae and microalgae produce oxygen.

Marcoalgae are large algae and they look like plants. They are multicel-
lular as they contain many cells. They contain a “holdfast” which can be at-
tached to sand, boats or rocks. They contain a “stipe” similar to a stem of
plants. They contain “blades” similar to leaves of a plant and a collection
of blades are called “fronds”. Some macroalgae have “air-bladders” this
helps them float to the surface to catch the sun. Other macroalgae have
no “air-bladders” just long flexible stipes.
Macroalgae are divided into brown, green and red macroalgae. The
different colours are due to the pigments brown, green and red pigments
within the macroalgae.
There is another type of marine alga which is called “Maerl”. These are
very small and are unattached to rocks so they live on the sea bed. They
have a hard calcium crust and are red or brown in colour. Whenever they
die they lose their colour and turn grey.

Microalgae are much smaller organisms. They can only be seen under a
microscope. They are unicellular which means they have only one cell. They
are like floating plants and they are unattached. There are two common
types of microalgae. Diatoms are one variety and they have oil within their
bodies. This helps them to float. Dinoflagelletes are another variety of
microalgae which have “flagella”. The flagella help the dinoflagellates to
swim. Certain varieties of dinoflagellates glow in the dark at night when
disturbed.

Lesson One. Page 3

Learning Outcomes:
► Explain briefly what algae is and to describe the structure of macroalgae and flower.
► Describe the difference between algae and flower.
► Describe the two different varieties of algae by providing details about the colours of
macroalgae and the two different varieties of microalgae.

Introduction:
Recall the structure of plants/ flowers. (Use an example of a real plant or flower).
Teacher will explain by the use of an image the difference between macroalgae (seaweed)
and microalgae (phytoplankton).
Pupils will observe that macroalgae and microalgae have different features.
Older pupils may discuss in their own words features of macroalgae (seaweed) and
microalgae.

Activities:
Activity 1- Label the different parts of macroalgae (seaweeds) and a flower.
Activity 2. Select the key words in the box associated with macroalgae, microalgae
and flower.
Activity 3. Show the different varieties of macroalgae and microalgae.
Activity 4. Crossword
Activity 5. Compare the length of different varieties of macroalgae. Draw a graph
of the different lengths.

Final Activity
This will depend on the age of the class and the activity
chosen and focus of the lesson.
Teacher briefly revises the main learning objectives.

► Teacher will test the knowledge of pupils by getting them draw their own dia-
gram of a flower and macroalgae and label it.
► Teacher and class discuss the differences between plants and algae. Teacher
will write on the board the answers from the pupils. If required the teacher
will show the class the images of macroalgae and microalgae as a visual aid.
► Pupils will discuss the different varieties of macroalgae and microalgae and also
the sizes of macroalgae (if Activity- 5 is completed).

Vocabulary: macroalgae, microalgae, holdfast, frond, air-bladder, thallus, stipe, pigments

and flagella.

Lesson One. Page 4

Curriculum Links
Scotland
Curriculum for Excellence
Level 1
Literacy and English
Listening and Talking - I can identify and discuss the purpose, key words and main ideas
Finding and using information of the text. LIT 1-04a

Reading
Finding and using information I can find, select, sort and use information for a specific
purpose. LIT 1-14a

Numeracy and Mathematics

Number, Money, Measure I can estimate how long an object is. MNU 1-11a
Measurement
Information Handling I have explored a variety of ways in which data is presented and
Data Analysis can ask and answer questions about the information it contains.
MNU 1-20a

Sciences Planet
Earth I can sort living things into groups and explain my decisions.
Biodiversity and SCN 1-01a
Interdependence

Level 2
Literacy and English
Listening and Talking I can identify and discuss the purpose, main ideas and
Finding and using information supporting detail contained within the text. LIT 2-04a

Reading
Finding and using information I can find, select and sort information from a variety of sources
and use this for different purposes. LIT 2-14a

Numeracy and Mathematics

Number, Money, Measure I can use my knowledge of the sizes of familiar objects or
Measurement places to assist me when making an estimate of measure.
MNU 2-11a

Information Handling I can interpret and draw conclusions from the information
Data Analysis displayed. MNU 2-20a

Sciences Planet
Earth I can relate physical and behavioural characteristics to their
Biodiversity and survival or extinction SCN 2-01a
Interdependence

Skills: Observe, record, present findings, report and classify.

Lesson One. Page 5

Ireland
National Council for Curriculum Assessment (NCCA)
First Class, Second Class
English
Oral Language Ask questions that will satisfy his/her curiosity and
Reading wonder.
Writing Develop comprehension strategies.
Spell correctly a range of familiar, important and regularly
occurring words.
Mathematics
Measures – Length Estimate, measure and record length using metre and
centimetre.
Data- Representing and
interpreting data Represent, read and interpret simple tables and interpret
charts.
Social Environmental and
Scientific Education
(SESE)
Science
Living things – Recognise and describe the parts of some living things.
Plants and Animals
Geography
Environmental awareness Observe similarities and differences among plants and
and care - animals in different local habitats.
Caring for my locality

Third class, Fourth class, Fifth class

English
Oral Language- Become aware of new words.
Confidence in using language
Reading- Understand the relationship between text and illustration.
Receptiveness to language

Mathematics
Measures- Measure length using appropriate metric units.
Length

Representing and Organise, represent and interpret data.

interpreting data

Social Environmental and

Scientific Education (SESE)
Science- Environmental Become familiar with the characteristics of some major
Awareness groups of living things.
Geography Investigate the influence of various features on plants.

Skills: Record, present findings, sort and group features.thinking, problem solving,
working with others and managing information.

Lesson One. Page 6

Northern Ireland
Council for Curriculum Examination and Assessment (CCEA)
Key Stage 1
Language and Literacy
Talking and listening Participate in talking and listening in learning.

Reading Read, explore, understand and make use of traditional text

explore and interpret a range of visual text.

Writing Use a variety of skills to spell words.

Mathematics and
Numeracy
Measures Understand and use the language associated with length.

Handling Data Discuss and interpret the data extract information from
charts.

The World Around Us

Interdependence How plants rely on each other within the natural world.

Place Identify ways in which living things depend on and adapt to

their environment.
Key Stage 2

Language and Literacy

Talking and listening Identify and ask appropriate questions to seek
information.
Reading Represent their understanding of text in a range
ways including visual and oral.

Writing Use a variety of skills to spell words correctly.

Mathematics and
Numeracy
Measures Understand the relationship between units and convert one
metric unit to another.

Handling Data Classify, record and present data

explain their work orally and draw conclusions.

The World Around Us

Interdependence How living things rely on each other within the natural
world.

Place Identify ways in which plants and animals depend on

features and materials in places.

Skills: Thinking, problem solving, working with others and managing information.

Lesson One. Page 7

Activity 1. Name

Label the different parts of macroalgae THALLUS FLOWER

(seaweeds) and a flower.

Ask the pupils to label the appropriate parts

FROND STEM
of the macroalgae and flower by using the key
words in the table.

BLADE ROOTS

AIR
LEAF
BLADDER

STIPE HOLDFAST
Lesson One. Page 8
Activity 2. Name

Select the key words in the box associated with macroalgae, microalgae and flower.

Macroalgae Microalgae Flowers

1. 1. 1.

2. 2. 2

3. 3. 3.

4. 4. 4.

Microscope Stem Flower Holdfast

Phytoplankton Seaweed Multicellular Blade

Flagella Diatoms Leaf Roots

Describe by writing one sentence the differences between macroalgae and microalgae.

Macroalgae

Microalgae
Lesson One. Page 9
Activity 3.

Show the different varieties of macroalgae and microalgae.

Draw two headings on the board or a large page.

Label the first heading as “macroalgae” and label the other heading as “microalgae”.

The teacher will cut out the images on page 11 and provide the pupils with various
photographs of either macroalgae or microalgae labelled a-l.

Stick blu tak or sellotape to the back of each photograph.

Ask the pupils to locate them underneath the correct heading.

Ask the pupils why they located certain images under the macroalgae/ microalgae section.

Ask the pupils to name the three different colours of macroalgae.

Ask the pupils to name the two different types of microalgae.

Lesson One. Page 10

 a b c

d e f

g h i
11
Lesson One. Page

Lesson One. Page 11

j k l
Activity 4-Crossword Name

1. 5. 7.

2. 10. M 3. O 6.
O A
E E H
8.
B R
13.

F
4. 9.
E
A 11.

12. 14. 15.

C E
G N

16.
T
18. 17.

P
O

19. 20.
E P S
1. What is the name of the small red macroalgae 11. What is the name of the substances that gives
that develop a hard crust? both plants and algae their colour? (7 letters)
(5 letters)
12. What is the name of the instrument that you look
2. What is the name of the part of the through to view microalgae? (10 letters)
macroagae that attaches itself to a rock or
boat? (8 letters) 13. What is the name of the structure of the
macroalgae that resembles the leaf?
3. What is the name used to describe the body (5 letters)
of the macroalgae? (7 letters)
14. How many cells do each microalgae have?
4. What helps dinoflagellates swim and moves towards (3 letters)
their food? (8 letters)
15. What do microalgae have inside their bodies to
5. Name a type of microalgae? (6 letters) help them float? ( 3 letters)
6. Where do both macroalgae and microalgae live? 16. What is the name of the structure of a flower
(3 letters) that is similar to the stipe of a macroalgae?
(4 letters)
7. Give the scientific word for seaweed? (10 letters)
17. What is another name often used to describe
8. What is the name of the structure on some mac the body of the macroalgae? (5 letters)
roalgae that help them float? (10 lettters)
18. What is the name of the part of the macroalgae
9. Name the environmental condition which arises that consists of many blades? (5 letters)
when there is an excessive growth of
dinoflagellates? (11 letters) 19. What is the common name of macroalgae?
(7 letters)
10.What is the structure on a flower similar that
resembles the blade on macroalgae? (4 letters) 20. Name another place that algae is also found?
(5 letters)
Lesson One. Page 13
Activity 5: Name

Compare the length of different varieties of macroalgae.

Draw a graph of the different lengths.

To measure the length of various macroalgae.

Materials: ruler in centimetres and millimetres

Method:
The length of the macroalgae are given in the table below.

1 metre = 100 centimetres.

Graph the different lengths of the macroalgae on graph paper.
Draw a bar chart to show the different lengths of the macroalgae.
This will show the tallest and the smallest of the macroalgae.
(Labelled diagram of bar chart y-axis length, x-axis name of macroalgae)

Teacher can show the real images of each species to the pupils.
(The length shown in the table below is an estimated length)

Recording Sheet for the lengths of Macroalgae

Macroalgae Length

Laminaria digitata/ Oarweed 1 metre (m)

Saccharina latissima/ Seabelt 4 metres (m)

Ascophyllum nodosum/ Knotted Wrack 1 metre (m) Fucus

vesiculosus/ Bladderwrack 1 metre (m)

Chondrus crispus/ Irish Moss 20 centimetres (cm)

Palmaria palmata/ Dulse 40 centimetres (cm)

Ulva lactuca/ Sea lettuce 18 centimetres (cm)

Lesson One. Page 14
Answer sheet -Lesson 1 – What is Algae?

Activity 1 - Label the different parts of macroalgae (seaweeds) and a flower.

Flower

Air Bladder

Leaf

Frond
Stem

Thallus

Blade

Holdfast
Roots
Stipe

Lesson One. Page 15

Activity 2 –

Select the key words in the box associated with macroalgae, microalgae and flower.

Macroalgae- Holdfast, Seaweed, Blade, Multicellular

Microalgae- Microscope, Phytoplankton, Flagella, Diatom
Flower – Stem, Flower, Leaf, Roots

List the differences between macroalgae, microalgae and a flower.

Answer:
Macroalgae (seaweed) have blades, holdfast, stipe, air bladders, fronds, thallus. They
have no root system and they do not get their nutrients from the soil.

Microalgae have just one cell and they are able to float in the water. Some microalgae
have flagella to help them swim towards their food. They absorb their nutrients through
their cell wall.

Flowers have stems, leaves, roots, root system that provides them with nutrients from
the soil.

Flowers, macroalgae and microalgae all provide oxygen for the environment.

Lesson One. Page 16

Activity 3 - Show the different varieties of macroalgae and microalgae.

a b c

Dinoflagellate- microalgae- macroalgae- Palmaria palmata

Karenia mikimotoi macroalgae - Ulva intestinalis

d e f

macroalgae - Fucus vesiculosus Diatom - microalgae - macroalgae- Maerl

Chaeroceros

g h i

macroalgae- Dinoflagellate - microalgae

Saccharina latissima macroalgae - Chondrus crispus
Ceratium cf lineatum

j k l

Diatom - microalgae - macroalgae - macroalgae -Ulva lactuca

Asterionellopsis Ascophyllum
nodosum

The colours of macroalgae are red, green and brown

The two different varieties of microalgae are diatoms and dinoflagellates.

Diatom cells can be joined together or can have spines to provide protection. They come
in a variety of shapes spheres, triangle, elliptical, or like star. They are very pretty and
have a silica wall which appears like glass.

Dinoflagellates can swim with the help of the flagella. Look carefully for the flagella. It
appears like a small tail. They appear as individual cells swimming alone.

Lesson One. Page 17

Activity 4 - Crossword

1. 5. 7.

M D I A T O M M
2. 10. 3. 6.
H O L D F A S T S E A
E E H C
8.
A R A I R B L A D D E R
13.

B F L L O
4. 9.
L F L A G E L L A A
11.

A P U L L
12. 14. 15.

D M I C R O S C O P E G G
E G N I A A
M E L L E
16.
S T E M B
N L
18. 17.

S T I P E F R O N D
O
M
19 . 20.

S E A W E E D P O N D S
Lesson One. Page 18
 Plants and Seaweed (image 1)

Flower

Air Bladder
Leaf

Frond
Stem

Thallus

Blade

Midrib

Holdfast
Roots
Rock
Stipe
 The Algae Family (image 2)

Microalgae Macroalgae
· are very small in size and can usually be seen using · are big in size and can found on rocks, sand or in the water
a microscope · are attached to rocks or sand using their holdfast
· are found floating and swimming in the water · contain stipe, air-bladders and fronds to
· have oil inside their cell to help them float, some microalgae help them float
have flagella to help them swim · are multicellular organisms as they have
· are unicellular organisms as they only have one cell many cells
· live in both freshwater ponds and lakes and also in the sea · live in freshwater or the sea and they can be
found washed up on the rocks or the shore
 Microalgae - Diatom (image 3)

Cell Wall

Spines for protection

Oil within the cell

Microalgae - Dinoflagellate

Cell Wall

Oil within the cell

Flagellum