Phytoplankton and Algal Blooms

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary mode of nutrition for algae?

Decomposition

Respiration

Photosynthesis (correct)

Fermentation

What is the kingdom that algae belong to?

Animalia

Fungi

Protista (correct)

Plantae

What is the term for small, free-floating algae?

Microalgae

Phytoplanktons (correct)

Lichens

Seaweed

What is the name of the symbiotic association between algae and fungi?

Lichens Signup and view all the answers

How many divisions are algae grouped into based on their pigmentation?

3 Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of gametes in Chlorophyta (Green algae)?

Biflagellated with cup-shaped chloroplast Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of cells in Rhodophyta (Red algae)?

Non-flagellated Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of oxygen on earth?

Algae Signup and view all the answers

What type of gametes are involved in the sexual reproduction of small green algae?

Biflagellated Signup and view all the answers

How do larger relatives of small green algae reproduce?

By spores Signup and view all the answers

What type of organisms are algae, in terms of nutrition?

Autotrophic Signup and view all the answers

What is the position of phytoplankton in the marine food chain?

Base of the marine food chain Signup and view all the answers

What is the source of energy for algae to prepare their food?

Light energy Signup and view all the answers

What is a beneficial effect of some algal blooms?

They can be a good indicator of environmental change Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of green unicellular algae in sewage treatment plants?

To provide oxygen from photosynthesis for bacteria Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of algae in the food chain?

Primary producer Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of Phaeophyta (Brown algae)?

They are multicellular and mostly marine Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of algae in fish culture?

They are a source of feed Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of marine algae in the formation of fossil fuels?

They contributed significantly to the source of organic matter Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of harmful algal blooms on fish?

They clog fish gills Signup and view all the answers

What type of pigments are present in Phaeophyta?

Chlorophyll masked with brown pigments Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of algae in limestone formation?

They accumulate calcium carbonate in their cell walls Signup and view all the answers

What is a nutrient that can be obtained from algae?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of non motile unicellular algae?

They are small and spherical without flagella Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of algal blooms on the environment?

Anoxic conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of filamentous form of algae?

They are chains of cells joined into threads Signup and view all the answers

What is the use of algae in agriculture?

As a fertilizer Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of thalloid form of algae?

They are compact multicellular body with flattened photosynthetic parts Signup and view all the answers

What is the medicinal use of Sargassum sp.?

Treating goitre and other glandular problems Signup and view all the answers

How do green algae reproduce?

Vegetatively, asexually, and sexually Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of Scenedesmus sp?

They are non motile and consist of 2,4 or 8 elongated cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of Laminaria agardhii (Kelp)?

They are complex thallus structure with annual and perennial parts Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Algae Diversity

Algae are organisms that are neither plants nor animals, belonging to the Kingdom Protista or Prototista, with varying forms, sizes, and colors.
They can be found in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats, including freshwater and marine environments.
Algae are a major source of oxygen on earth.

Habitat

Small free-floating algae are known as phytoplanktons.
Algae can be found in semi-permanent pools, ponds, lakes, streams, and along ocean shorelines.
In terrestrial habitats, they can be found on rocks, wood surfaces, and in symbiotic association with fungal species (Lichens).

Divisions of Algae

Algae are grouped into three divisions based on their pigmentation:
- Rhodophyta (Red Algae)
- Phaeophyta (Brown Algae)
- Chlorophyta (Green Algae)

Characteristics of Algae Divisions

Chlorophyta (Green Algae):
- Unicellular, colonial, and multicellular forms.
- Found in freshwater and some marine environments.
- Reproduce asexually and sexually (biflagellated gametes).
Rhodophyta (Red Algae):
- Multicellular, mostly marine.
- Cells are non-flagellated.
- Alternation of generation is common.
- Photosynthetic pigment (Chlorophyll) is masked by red pigments.
Phaeophyta (Brown Algae):
- Multicellular, mostly marine.
- Found in intertidal zones.
- Chlorophyll is masked by brown pigments.
- Alternation of generation is common.

Algal Structure

Algae exist in various forms:
- Non-motile unicellular (sedentary)
- Unicellular motile (single-celled, oval/pear-shaped with two flagella)
- Motile coenobial (colony of flagellated cells)
- Non-motile coenobial (colony of cells without flagella)
- Filamentous (chains of cells joined into threads)
- Thalloid (compact, multicellular body with flattened photosynthetic parts and holdfast for anchorage)
- Special forms (complex thallus structure with annual and perennial parts and meristematic region)

Life-Cycle of Algae

Algae reproduce via three different modes:
- Vegetatively (e.g., fragmentation, fission)
- Asexually (e.g., by spores)
- Sexually (e.g., by gametes)
Green algae reproduce vegetatively, asexually, and sexually.
Sexual reproduction involves biflagellated gametes.

Mode of Nutrition

Algae are autotrophic organisms, synthesizing their own food from inorganic substances using light or chemical energy.
Algae are photoautotrophs, using light as the source of energy to prepare their food.

Economic Importance of Algae

Algae are a link in the food chain, providing energy for aquatic organisms.
Algae are useful in fish culture, serving as a source of feed for fish.
Algae can be harmful in the form of algal blooms, which can produce toxins and have negative impacts on humans, marine and freshwater environments, and coastal economies.
Algae are used in sewage treatment plants to provide oxygen from photosynthesis.
Algae are used in the petroleum and gas industry, with some varieties serving as a source of bio-fuel.
Algae contribute to limestone formation, accumulating calcium carbonate in their cell walls.
Algae are used as food, rich in vitamins A and E, and containing vitamins C and D.
Algae are used as fodder for livestock.
Algae are used as fertilizer, with some species having nitrogen-fixing capabilities.
Algae have medicinal uses, such as treating goiter and other glandular problems.

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Description

Learn about the importance of phytoplankton in the marine food chain and how algal blooms can be indicative of environmental change, as well as their use in sewage treatment plants.