Notes - Aquatic Plants - Algae
Part 1 – General Information
- Algae are considered the ____________ of plant types. They lack any internal structures that
allow the transport of ___________ _____ ____________ throughout the organism. As such,
they must live in or near a water source.
- Algae are ________________or multicellular, causing a large size range, from microscopic to the
size of a ______________ _______. Like plants, algae have a ________ _______ surrounding
the cell for support and contain photosynthetic pigments (____________________) for energy
gathering. However, algae differ in that there are no _______, stem, or _______ structures like
terrestrial plants. Many deep dwelling algae also possess accessory ______________ to aid in
photosynthesis. These pigments help absorb wavelengths of light not used by _______________
(primary photosynthetic pigment). It is these different chlorophylls and accessory pigments that
are largely used in classifying the different algae types.
- Multicellular Algae has been divided into 3 main groups; Chlorophyta, ________, and Rhodophyta.
1.) ______________ – green algae – this phylum all contain chlorophylls __ ____ __, and it is
these pigments that give the green colour. As well, this phylum also stores their energy in the
form of a complex sugar called __________. Green algae are found near the surface of
water and in very moist land. Some Chlorophyta are single celled.
Ex. –Chlamydomonas.
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- ___________ green algae also exist. There are two kinds of colonies. Gonium is colonial but
each cell acts individually.
Whereas, a colony of ___________ is the second type of colony in that it is made of
individual cells that come together and act as one organism. There are ________________
strands connecting the cells for communication and movement. A Volvox colony only produces
a few specialised cells for reproduction.
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Another example is Spirogyra, this forms a threadlike colony called ________________.
They reproduce by _________________.
2.) Phaeophyta – __________ ______ - this phylum all contain chlorophylls, but they are a and
c, along with the accessory pigment ______________, and it is these pigments that give the
brown colour. As well, this phylum stores their energy in special starches and _____.
Ex. – _____________
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3.) Rhodophyta – red algae - this phylum all contain chlorophyll a (a few species also d) along with
accessory pigments called ________________. Phycobilins are excellent at absorbing
________ light, which allows these algae to live in deeper water where only blue light
penetrates. As well, this phylum stores their energy in special starches.
Part 2 – Reproduction
- Most algae life cycles are characterised by what is called ______________________________.
This expression describes how part of the algae’s life cycle is _________ (half the chromosomes)
and the other half of the life cycle is diploid (full amount of chromosomes). This trend is common
to all members of the __________ kingdom.
- The general life cycle of ___________________ characterises the life cycle for most algae.
Most of the life cycle is spent in a _____________ stage. The organism reproduces asexually
until conditions become unfavourable. Then the organism will switch to sexual reproduction.
Instead of releasing ______________ that develop into new organisms the Chlamydomonas will
release both + and – gametes. These two types will fuse (___________) and form a thick walled
___________. This zygote can survive harsh conditions and when ready will undergo _________
and release four haploid cells that grow into new Chlamydomonas.
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Part 3 - Algae Impact
- The primary role of Algae is the production of ____________. Between 50 to 75% of all oxygen
comes from algae.
- Algae are used for food in sashimi (nori wraps), ice cream, and __________________.
- Industry uses algae for everything from plastics, waxes, to deodorants.
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