ALGAE

ALGAE
• Algae are very simple unicellular or
multicellular eukaryotic organisms that
obtain energy from sunlight
(photoautotrophs). They live in various
water environments (oceans and ponds) on
moist rocks and trees, and in soil.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF ALGAE
• Specific general characteristics of algae are common to plants as well as
animals.
• Algae can be either unicellular or multicellular organisms
• Algaes are found where there is adequate moisture.
• Reproduction in algae occurs in both asexual and sexual forms. Asexual
reproduction occurs by spore formation.
• Algae are free-living, although some can form a symbiotic relationship with
other organisms.
• Algae lack a well-defined body, so, structures like roots, stems or leaves are
absent
 REPRODUCTION OF ALGAE
• Sexual reproduction occurs in most species of algae. In these
species the algae reproduce asexually for generations until there is
a change in environmental conditions; then the algae reproduce
sexually. Other types of algae alternate in how they reproduce.
• The algae that reproduce sexually will latter reproduce asexually.
All algae reproduce asexually. Unicellular algae divide by mitosis
and cytokinesis. Multicellular algae that contain thalli and filaments
can fragment. Each new piece can form a thallus and a filament.
 TYPES OF ALGAE
• CHRYSOPHYTES – are unicellular algae that
live in fresh water and contain chlorophyll a and
chlorophyll c, which are photosynthetic pigments
used to transform sunlight into energy.
• These are also known as golden algae because
they have golden silica scales.
• DIATOMS - are unicellular algae that have a
hard, double outer shell made of silica.
Nutrients pass through pores in the shell, then
through the diatom's plasma membrane
contained within the shell.
• Diatoms accumulate at the bottom of the sea
and are commercially mined for both their
value as an abrasive and their filtering and
insulating capabilities (used in the filters in
pools).
• DINOFLAGELLATES - are unicellular algae that
have the capability of self-movement through the use
of tail-like projections called flagella. The flagella are
located between grooves in the cellulose plates that
cover the dinoflagellate's body.
• These flagella pulsate in both an encircling motion
around the body and in a perpendicular motion,
causing the dinoflagellates to rotate like a top.
• Live in seawater. Some seawater dinoflagellates are
luminous, giving a twinkle to the sea at night.
• RED ALGAE - also known as Rhodophyta, are algae
that form colonies in warm ocean currents and in tropical
seas. They contribute to the formation of coral reefs that
can be found as deep as 268 meters below the surface of
the ocean.
• Red algae get their color from the phycobilins and
chlorophyll a pigments contained in their cells. Phycobilins
pigment absorbs green, violet, and blue light, which are
light waves that are capable of penetrating the deepest
waters. It is for this reason that red algae can survive at
great depths. The Pigment that makes the algae red is
called phycoerythrin
• BROWN ALGAE - also known as phaeophyta,
are multicellular organisms. Some brown algae
are commonly called kelp.
• Brown algae can appear dark brown, olive-green,
and even golden depending on the type of
figments in their cells. The pigment the makes
the algae brown is called fucoxanthin
• The organic matter that kelp produces supports
the life invertebrates, marine mammals, and fish.
• GREEN ALGAE – Green algae can live in moist places on
land, such as tree trunks and in the soil, as well as in water.
There are 7,000 species of green algae that are diverse in
size, morphology, lifestyle, and habits. Scientists believe
that some members of the species are linked structurally
and biochemically to the Plant kingdom.
• Two common green algae are:
1. Spirogyra: Spirogyra are freshwater algae that have tiny
filaments, each containing spiraling bands of chloroplasts.
2. Volvox: Volvox are colonial multicellular green algae that
have flagella and live in marine, brackish, and freshwater
environments.
• LICHENS - Lichens are filaments of a fungus and
cells of algae (this is a symbiotic relationship)
that are found on exposed soil or rock, on trees,
on rooftops, and on cement structures. There are
about 20,000 known species of lichens.
• Survival of the green algae and the fungus are
interdependent in a symbiotic association.
Neither can live without the other. However,
each grows independently. Lichens are delicate
and beautiful in appearance
• Euglenophyta - Euglena are fresh and
salt water protists. Like plant cells, some
euglenoids are autotrophic. They contain
chloroplasts and are capable of
photosynthesis.
• They lack a cell wall, but instead are
covered by a protein-rich layer called the
pellicle
 IMPORTANCE OF
ALGAE
• The importance of Algae includes:
• They forms the base of aquatic food chain.
• Algae also show symbiotic relationships with fungi in lichens. Lichens formed by algae and fungi
can act as indicators of environmental pollution.
• They can be used as food, fodder and also as a binding agent.
• Algae are produced for industrial uses like production of soap and glass.
• Algae help in the carbon dioxide fixation on the earth through the process of photosynthesis.
• Algae are used in the production of agar that is used in food industry and in producing fertilizers.
• Algae may greatly enhance soil organic carbon content.
• Algae for example seaweeds are a important source of vitamins and minerals.
 Thank you!
• XYRELLE TALAMAYAN
• JERWIN TALOSIG
• KRISTINE TOLENTINO
• ANGELICA TUNGOL
• TERESA VILLAMOR