About Algae

Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature’s way again

Algae (singular alga) is a term that encompasses many different groups of living organisms. Algae have been traditionally regarded as simple plants, and some are closely related to the higher plants.

Forms of Algae

Algae range from small, single-celled organisms to multi-cellular organisms, some with fairly complex differentiated form. The giant kelps, also belonging to the algae species grow over 60 meters long!

The main branches/lines of algae are:

• Chromista- this line includes the brown algae, golden brown algae, and diatoms. The plastids in these algae contain Chlorophylls A and C. ( see: Brief Introduction to the Phaeophyta, Brown Algae – from Wikipedia)
• The Red Line – this is an early branch of marine algae containing just Chlorophyll A. Red algae can often be seen coating wave washed rocks. A characteristic of red algae is that their plastids contain only one type of chlorophyll -- chlorophyll a. This is different from green algae and plants which have both chlorophyll a and b. (see: Introduction to the Rhodophyta, Red Alga – from Wikipedia)
• Dinoflagellates – these evolved on a separate line that includes, surprisingly, the ciliated protists. (see: Introduction to the Dinoflagellata from UMCP, Berkeley, Dinoflagellate Information – from MBARI, Dinoflagellate – from Wikipedia)
• The Euglenids – this independent line of single celled organisms that include both photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic species (see: Euglenid – from Wikipedia)
• The Green Line, is related to plants. Plants and green algae have chlophylls A and B. ( see also: Introduction to Green Algae)

The three most prominent lines of algae are the Brown Algae (Chromista), the red algae, and the Green algae of which some of the most complex forms are founds among the green algae. This lineage (green algae) eventually led to the higher land plants. The point where these non-algal plants begin and algae stop is usually taken to be the presence of reproductive organs with protective cell layers, a characteristic not found in the other alga groups.

Algea are an extremely important species. For one, they produce more oxygen than all the plants in the world, put together! For another, they form an important food source for many animals such as little shrimps and huge whales. Thus, they are at the bottom of the food chain with many living things depending upon them.

With the recent research and interest into using algae for producing biodiesel, they have the potential to become even more important.

Source : OILGAE

See also:

• Algaculture – from Wikipedia
• Lots of Algae Related Links – from University of Arizona Algae Class
• Algae Research – from the Smithsonian Institution
• AlgaeBase – Listing the World’s Algae
• Algae Description & Types
• Algae – from NatureGrid, UK – Nice Explanations
• See a Picture of Algae
• Smithsonian Institution Project on Algae
• Australian Freshwater Algae - identification keys & pictures
• Hustedt Diatom Collection, Alfred Wegner Institute, Germany
• Seaweed Site – with macro and microalgal information
• The World of Algae @ the Botany Department of University of Western Cape, South Africa
• Diatoms Info from Indiana University
• Key to identifying freshwater Diatoms (P. Compere)
• Introduction to Cyanobacteria
• Toxic Cyanobacteria
• Cyanosite @ Purdue University – A cyanobacterial resource
• Red Tide & Harmful Algal Blooms - Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
• Volvocales Information Project (VIP) - University of New Brunswick, Canada - The mission of this project is to develop the green algal group Volvocales as a model-system for research and teaching