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

3. 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”

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

GametophyteThe haploid form of the organism; produces gametes

SporophyteThe diploid form of the organism

Page 516, Figure 19