Protista: Algae Characteristics and Habitat

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Questions and Answers

Which kingdom do algae belong to?

Kingdom Plantae

Kingdom Animalia

Kingdom Fungi

Kingdom Protista (correct)

What is a unique characteristic of algae's metabolic process?

They release carbon dioxide through respiration

They do not undergo metabolism

They have a unique metabolic process (correct)

They produce oxygen through photosynthesis

Where can algae be found?

In forest and urban areas, together with water body, waterlogged and moist soils, trees, metals, and sculpture in moist conditions (correct)

Only in urban areas

Only in desert regions

Only in water bodies

When did algae appear in the fossil record?

1.5 billion years ago Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of macroalgae?

They are multicellular like higher plants Signup and view all the answers

What is the study of algae called?

Algology (Phycology) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of algae in food chains/webs?

They are resources in aquatic and terrestrial food chains/webs Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the positive impacts of algae on the environment?

They are a source of food for many aquatic animals Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of megasporangia in gymnosperms?

To house n-megaspores Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the entire process of fertilization in gymnosperms?

Fertilization Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic feature of gymnosperms?

Seed plants with naked ovules Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the classification of gymnosperms that includes cycads?

Cycadophytes Signup and view all the answers

What is the adaptation of some gymnosperms that allows them to thrive in nutrient-poor habitats?

Trapping atmospheric nitrogen gas Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the economic uses of gymnosperms?

Resin production Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the structures that house n-spores in gymnosperms?

Microsporangia Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic feature of the leaves of gymnosperms?

Needle-like leaves Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the plant kingdom do gymnosperms comprise?

≤ 5% Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of gymnosperms?

They are the first vascular plants with naked seeds Signup and view all the answers

What is a fact about the oldest living gymnosperms?

They are around 5,000 years old Signup and view all the answers

What division do gymnosperms belong to?

Spermatophyte Signup and view all the answers

What is a type of gymnosperm?

Ginkgo Signup and view all the answers

What is a method of reproduction in gymnosperms?

Vegetative strategy Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Kingdom Protista

Algae belong to the kingdom Protista
Algae are earlier autotrophic protists with unique metabolic processes
They produced and released the first oxygen gas in the world

Habitat of Algae

Algae can be located in forest and urban areas
Algae can be found in water bodies, waterlogged and moist soils, trees, metals, and sculptures in moist conditions

Characteristics of Algae

Fossil and chemical evidence show that algae are eukaryotes
Algae appeared in the fossil record 1.5 billion years ago (BYA)

Forms of Algae

Algae come in two main forms: microalgae and macroalgae
Microalgae form a larger percentage of the world population of algae
Forms of microalgae include unicellular forms such as Scenedesmus, Desmids, and Euglena
Macroalgae are multicellular like higher plants but have false roots, stem, and leaves
Multicellular forms of macroalgae include brown algae (Phaeophyta), green algae (Chlorophyta), and red algae (Rhodophyta)

Biology of Algae

Algology (Phycology) is the study of algae, derived from the Latin word for "seaweed"
Algae are autotrophic, primary producers, and a resource in aquatic and terrestrial food chains/webs
They trap solar energy directly from the atmosphere

Impact of Algae on the Environment

Positive Impacts

Algae are a source of food for many aquatic animals, from tiny shrimps to whales
Algae produce 80% of the world's total food supply
Algae produce more oxygen than all plants in the world (75%)
Algae synthesize simple minerals into complex organic matter

Negative Impacts

Algal bloom can be caused by high levels of phosphorous and nitrate in water
Bacterial bloom can change the water color to cloudy white
Algal bloom can cause mass mortality of higher organisms

Overview of Gymnosperms

Gymnosperms are the 1st vascular plant with naked seeds.
They are the 2nd vascular plant on land.
They have advanced multicellular sex organs (embryophytes).
Gymnosperms comprise ≤ 5% of the whole plant kingdom.
They are regarded as the first tree to grow after the Noah’s flood!

Types of Gymnosperms

They include: Conifer, Cycad, Ginkgo, and Gnetae.

Biology of Gymnosperms

Gymnosperm belong to division spermatophyte.
Gymnosperms consist of 2-members.
They are softwoods of the plant kingdom.
They are classified into Cycadophytes and Coniferophytes.

Facts about Gymnosperms

They are first tree to grow after the Noah’s flood.
They are softwoods of the plant kingdom.
The two oldest living gymnosperms are Great Basin Bristlecone and Pine of Nevada (≈ 5,000-year-old).
Cycads are the second largest living gymnosperms.

Reproduction in Gymnosperms

Methods of reproduction in gymnosperm: Vegetative strategy and Sexual strategy.

Vegetative Strategy

Vegetative strategies involve branch contact with substrate, taking root, and growing (very rare).

Sexual Strategy

Sex organs are: Microsporangia and Megasporangia.

Fertilization of Gymnosperms

Pollen transfer by wind to archegonium.
Fuses with mature egg nucleus eight or more diploid nuclei.

Classification of Gymnosperms

Spermatophyta is classified into Angiosperm and Gymnosperm.
Gymnosperms are classified into Cycadophytes and Coniferophytes.
Cycadophytes are classified into Cyadofilicales, Cycadeoidales, and Cycadales (only Cycadales is extant).
Coniferophytes are classified into Corditales (extinct), Coniferales, Ginkgoales, and Gnetales (all extant).

Characteristics of Gymnosperms

Gymnosperms are seed plants with naked ovules.
They have evergreen pines (needle-like) leaves and soft wood.
Other leaf forms are fan-like (Ginkgo), palm-like (cycad), and strap-like (Gnetae).
Few genera are deciduous in habit (Ginkgo).

Habitats of Gymnosperms

Gymnosperms are wildly distributed all over the world from extremely dry deserts to extremely moist rainforests in Northern temperate forests, equatorial regions, and High Mountains (China).

Ecology of Gymnosperms

All cycads contain an endophyte (Cyanobacterium).
Roots (coral-shaped) trap atmospheric nitrogen gas and fix into nitrate in nutrient poor habitats for plant use.

Economic uses of Gymnosperms

Resins are powerful medicine that quicken to harden when in contact with air.

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Description

Learn about the characteristics and habitats of algae, belonging to the kingdom Protista, including their metabolic processes and contribution to oxygen production.