Algae Are Plantlike Protists That Grow Through Photosynthesis with a Green Pigment Called

Clara Cho Science Mr. Labrecque Algae

Algae are plantlike protists that grow through photosynthesis with a green pigment called chlorophyll. Because algae, a type of plankton, serves as the bases of the ocean’s food chain, it is important to conserve them. Algae can be split into two categories: unicellular algae and multicellular algae. Unicellular algae such as Euglenoids, Diatoms, and Dinoflagellates, consist of only one cell. On the other hand, multicellular algae such as Green Algae, Brown Algae, and Red Algae represent a bundle of unicellular algae.

One of the multicellular algae is the Green Algae that are very similar to plants that live on land. Among the algae, they are the most commonly seen. One of the main functions of green algae is making 50% of earth’s oxygen. Brown algae are type of multicellular or unicellular algae that is also very plant-like and edible. It is usually called seaweed. Some of the examples are Mozuku (Cladosiphon okamuranus) and Wakame (Undaria pinnatifida). Most brown algae live deep in the ocean. Red algae are another type of edible multicellular algae. Red algae have a red pigment named carrageenan, which is commonly extracted and used for softening items like ice cream, hair conditioner, and puddings.

Euglenoids are unicellular algae that have a unique animal-like characteristics; it has a flagella (which resembles a tail) and eyespots. They could either be autotrophs (being able to create their own food) or heterotrophs (requiring organic substances to survive). Diatoms are made out of silica, a gold-colored element in glass. Diatoms attach to random objects while floating. Dinoflagellates have unique flagellates that cause this to rotate in circles while going forward. When many Dinoflagellates are together, they cause red tide. This algal bloom might cause trouble to the saltwater ecosystem by causing red tides that kills species by blocking sunlight and emitting poison.

There is a special type of unicellular algae called “Cyanobacteria”. They don’t have any cell organelles including the nucleus. Cyanobacteria were called “green-blue algae” in the past, but now scientists think that cyanobacteria are more related to bacteria. These cells can cause dangerous algal blooms just like algae.

Algae are one of the most important elements in the earth. It gives us air, food, water, and so on. The different types of algae have different jobs to keep the earth safe and healthy. Even though algae can be harmful at some times, the world should always preserve them.

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Needham, Mass.: Pearson Prentice Hall. The Important Little Life of Dylan Diatom. (n.d.). Retrieved September 6, 2015. Wakame is a type brown algae that grow near the oceans of Japan, Korea, China, France, New Zealand, and Australia. The Latin name for Wakame is Undaria Pinnatifida. It has a yearly lifecycle, with the seeding starting in April and collecting fully grown Wakame on the next April. Even though Wakame is a type of brown algae, the color is green. It has lots of thin air bubbles and smooth edges. Wakame is very bumpy and thick.

Mozuku is also a type of brown algae that has the Latin name “Cladosiphon Okamuranus”. It grows in the ocean and the common size is twenty to thirty centimeters. It is usually eaten as salad. Mozuku is brown and has a noodle-like appearance. They have tiny air bubbles and fur on the surface of the Mozuku.

Green Algae are the most common type of algae. It creates the 50% of oxygen in the earth. Green algae mostly have the color green, black, and grey. They have air bubbles and orange-brown spots.

Diatoms are a type of unicellular algae. It’s shells are made of glass and attaches to objects easily. Diatoms can only live on salt water. Diatoms stay together in tiny clumps, which has the color brown and dark green.