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Questions and Answers
What is one characteristic that differentiates unicellular algae from multicellular algae?
What is one characteristic that differentiates unicellular algae from multicellular algae?
Which type of algae is known for responsible for causing 'red tides'?
Which type of algae is known for responsible for causing 'red tides'?
What is the primary component of the cell walls of diatoms?
What is the primary component of the cell walls of diatoms?
Which of the following types of algae primarily lives in freshwater environments?
Which of the following types of algae primarily lives in freshwater environments?
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How do multicellular algae differ from plants?
How do multicellular algae differ from plants?
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Which type of algae is known for its role in coral reefs?
Which type of algae is known for its role in coral reefs?
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What structure allows brown algae, like kelp, to stay anchored in their environment?
What structure allows brown algae, like kelp, to stay anchored in their environment?
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What term describes the photosynthetic component of plankton?
What term describes the photosynthetic component of plankton?
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What type of reproduction is seen in algae, differentiating them from more complex plants?
What type of reproduction is seen in algae, differentiating them from more complex plants?
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Which group of algae is known for living in colonies?
Which group of algae is known for living in colonies?
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What is the primary function of fungus-like protists?
What is the primary function of fungus-like protists?
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Which of the following correctly describes Plasmodial Slime Molds?
Which of the following correctly describes Plasmodial Slime Molds?
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What happens to Plasmodial Slime Molds when conditions become unfavorable for feeding?
What happens to Plasmodial Slime Molds when conditions become unfavorable for feeding?
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What distinguishes Water Molds from true fungi?
What distinguishes Water Molds from true fungi?
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Which characteristic is associated with Cellular Slime Molds?
Which characteristic is associated with Cellular Slime Molds?
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What role did Water Molds play in historical events?
What role did Water Molds play in historical events?
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How do fungus-like protists primarily obtain their nutrients?
How do fungus-like protists primarily obtain their nutrients?
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During which stage do Plasmodial Slime Molds produce spores?
During which stage do Plasmodial Slime Molds produce spores?
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Which statement about Water Molds is incorrect?
Which statement about Water Molds is incorrect?
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What is the feeding structure formed by Plasmodial Slime Molds called?
What is the feeding structure formed by Plasmodial Slime Molds called?
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Which of the following statements is true about diatoms?
Which of the following statements is true about diatoms?
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What is a characteristic feature of multicellular algae?
What is a characteristic feature of multicellular algae?
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Which type of green algae is known for living in ball-shaped colonies?
Which type of green algae is known for living in ball-shaped colonies?
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What pigment allows red algae to photosynthesize at great depths?
What pigment allows red algae to photosynthesize at great depths?
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Which of the following types of algae are primarily found in cool, saltwater habitats?
Which of the following types of algae are primarily found in cool, saltwater habitats?
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What is the main reason some algae are classified as protists rather than plants?
What is the main reason some algae are classified as protists rather than plants?
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What type of habitat do most green algae prefer?
What type of habitat do most green algae prefer?
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Which group of algae is known for their cellulose plates and two flagella?
Which group of algae is known for their cellulose plates and two flagella?
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How do brown algae like kelp support their structure?
How do brown algae like kelp support their structure?
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What is the defining characteristic of phytoplankton?
What is the defining characteristic of phytoplankton?
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What is the primary function of plasmodial slime molds during their feeding stage?
What is the primary function of plasmodial slime molds during their feeding stage?
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Which of the following statements is true regarding cellular slime molds?
Which of the following statements is true regarding cellular slime molds?
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What distinguishes water molds from true fungi?
What distinguishes water molds from true fungi?
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What occurs when plasmodial slime molds face unfavorable feeding conditions?
What occurs when plasmodial slime molds face unfavorable feeding conditions?
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Which of the following describes the role of water molds in ecosystems?
Which of the following describes the role of water molds in ecosystems?
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Which of the following accurately describes the appearance of plasmodial slime molds?
Which of the following accurately describes the appearance of plasmodial slime molds?
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During which stage do cellular slime molds form pseudoplasmodium?
During which stage do cellular slime molds form pseudoplasmodium?
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Which specific event was significantly impacted by water molds historically?
Which specific event was significantly impacted by water molds historically?
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What is the main nutrient source for fungus-like protists?
What is the main nutrient source for fungus-like protists?
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What is one characteristic of the spores produced by water molds?
What is one characteristic of the spores produced by water molds?
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Study Notes
Algae
- Algae are plant-like protists that perform photosynthesis.
- They contain chlorophyll and produce oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis.
- Most are unicellular, but some are multicellular.
- Some are colonial, meaning they live as a group with each cell having a specific function.
- There are two main groups of algae: unicellular and multicellular.
Unicellular Algae
- Dinoflagellates are unicellular algae with two flagella that spin the cell through water.
- They are covered with cellulose plates and mostly live in saltwater habitats.
- Dinoflagellates are responsible for "red tides".
- Diatoms are algae lacking both cilia and flagella.
- They have glass-like cell walls containing silica.
- Diatoms come in various shapes and have pores that allow gases and materials to pass through.
- They are the most abundant organisms in the ocean.
- They are used as abrasives in polishing agents, detergents, and toothpastes.
Multicellular Algae
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They were once classified as plants because of their chloroplasts and photosynthesis.
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However, they are now classified as protists because their reproductive structures differ from plants.
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Green Algae (Chlorophyta)
- Most live in freshwater, but some live in the ocean.
- They grow as filaments, linked end to end, or as flat leaf-like cells.
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Examples:
- Chlamydomonas (ponds and moist soil) - It has flagella that can be retracted when dormant.
- Volvox (common colonial green algae) - They live in ball-shaped colonies.
- Some green algae live in symbiotic relationships with fungi, forming lichens.
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Red Algae (Rhodophyta)
- They grow in warm, saltwater habitats.
- Not all of them are red; some may be orange, green, brown, or black.
- They can carry out photosynthesis at great depths due to pigments other than chlorophyll.
- Red algae are very important for coral reefs.
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Brown Algae (Phaeophyta)
- They grow in cool, saltwater habitats.
- Example: Kelp
- Kelp has root-like structures that anchor them and specialized air bladders that help them float.
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Algae are a significant component of plankton, specifically phytoplankton, which carry out photosynthesis.
Fungus-like Protists
- Divided into three groups: Plasmodial Slime Molds; Cellular Slime Molds; Water Molds.
- They are decomposers that recycle organic material into the environment.
- They extract their nutrients from dead organic materials.
Plasmodial Slime Molds
- They have many different colors and exhibit different forms throughout their life cycle.
- Plasmodium: The feeding stage where the mold forms a mass of cytoplasm similar to amoeba. It feeds on bacteria and other small organisms.
- Spores: When conditions are unfavorable for feeding, the mold stops feeding and forms a body that produces spores. When conditions improve, the spores are released and develop into plasmodium again.
Cellular Slime Molds
- They alternate between stages similar to Plasmodial Slime Molds, but form a pseudoplasmodium (false plasmodium) when food is scarce.
Water Molds
- They are decomposers or parasites.
- They typically grow in freshwater on decaying plants and animals.
- They are not considered true fungi because:
- Their cell walls contain cellulose instead of chitin.
- Their spores have flagella, whereas true fungi produce spores without flagella.
- Water Molds caused the Irish Potato Famine.
Algae (Plant-Like Protists)
- Photosynthesize
- Contain chlorophyll, producing oxygen as a byproduct
- Can be unicellular or multicellular
- Some live in colonies with specialized functions
Unicellular Algae
- Classified based on outer coverings and movement
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Dinoflagellates:
- Two flagella for spinning movement
- Covered with cellulose plates
- Mostly live in saltwater
- Responsible for red tides
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Diatoms:
- Lack cilia and flagella
- Glassy cell walls with silica
- Varying shapes and patterns
- Have pores for gas and material exchange
- Most abundant organisms in the ocean
- Used in polishing agents, detergents, and toothpastes
Multicellular Algae
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Were classified as plants due to chloroplasts and photosynthesis
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Now classified as protists due to different reproductive structures than plants
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Can be macroscopic
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Green Algae (Chlorophyta):
- Mostly freshwater, some saltwater
- Filamentous (linked cells) or flat, leaf-like
- Examples:
- Chlamydomonas: Freshwater and moist soil, retractable flagella
- Volvox: Common colonial green algae, ball-shaped colonies
- Some form symbiotic relationships with fungi (lichens)
-
Red Algae (Rhodophyta):
- Warm, saltwater habitats
- Can be orange, green, brown, or black
- Photosynthesize at depth due to other pigments besides chlorophyll
- Important for coral reefs
-
Brown Algae (Phaeophyta):
- Cool, saltwater habitats
- Example: Kelp
- Root-like structures for anchoring
- Specialized air bladders for buoyancy
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Algae are a major part of plankton, specifically phytoplankton due to photosynthesis
Fungus-Like Protists
- Three groups: Plasmodial Slime Molds, Cellular Slime Molds, Water Molds
- Decomposers: Recycle organic material
- Obtain nutrients from dead organic matter
Plasmodial Slime Molds
- Appearance: Slimy or wet
- Various colors
- Alternate stages:
- Plasmodium: Feeding stage, amoeba-like mass of cytoplasm, consumes bacteria and small organisms
- Spores: Formed when feeding conditions are unfavorable, produces spores to survive
Cellular Slime Molds
- Appearance: Slimy or wet
- Alternate stages similar to plasmodial slime molds, but forms pseudoplasmodium ("false plasmodium") when food is scarce
Water Molds
- Decomposers or parasites
- Found in freshwater on decaying plants and animals
- Differ from true fungi:
- Cell walls contain cellulose instead of chitin
- Spores have flagella, true fungi spores lack flagella
- Responsible for the Irish Potato Famine
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Description
Test your knowledge on algae, including their characteristics and classifications. Learn about the differences between unicellular and multicellular algae, and explore examples such as dinoflagellates and diatoms. This quiz is perfect for students of biology looking to reinforce their understanding of these fascinating organisms.
