Plantlike Protists- Algae
The phyla grouped here consist mainly of photosynthetic organisms, but some incluse heterotrophic or mixotrophic members. Algae account for about half the photosynthetic production of organic material on a global scale, are the basis of aquatic food webs, supporting an enourmous abundance and diversity of animals. All algae have chlorophyll a, the same pigment found in plants

• Euglenophyta Euglena- has about 800 species. Color green, has photosynthetic pigments chlorophylla, b, carotenoids, xanthophylls. Has paramylon. 1-3 apical flagella. No cell wall, has submembrane protein. Lives in mostly fresh water.

• Dinoflagellata- Approximately 1,100 species. Brown color. Carbohydrate food reserve is starch. 2 flagella, 1 lateral, 1 posterior. Cell wall components is submembrane cellulose. Lives in marine and freshwater.

  Dinoflagellata

• Bacillariophyta Diatoms- has about 10,000 species. Olive brown color. Carbohydrate food reserve is leucosin. Flagella in sperm only. Cell wall components is hydrated silica in organic matrix. Lives in fresh water and marine environments.

  Bacillariophyta

• Chrysophyta Golden algae- Has about 850 species. Golden olive color. Carbohydrate food reserve is Laminarin. 1 or 2 apical flagella. Cell wall has pectic compunds with siliceous material. Lives in mostly fresh water.

• Phaeophyta Brown algae- Has about 1,500 species. Olive brown color. carbohydrate food reserve is Laminarin. 2 lateral flagella in sperm only. Cell wall components in cellulose matrix with other polysaccharides. Lives in almost all marine. Flourish in cold ocean waters.

  Phaeophyta

• Rhodophyta Red algae- Has about 4,000 species. red to black coloring. Carbohydrate food reserve is floridean starch. No flagella. Cell wall components is cellulose matrix with other polysaccharides. Lives in mostly marine, but some fresh water. Many species tropical.

  Rhodophyta

• Chlorophyta: Green algae- Has about 7,000 species. Green color. Carbohydrate food reserve is plant starch. 2 or more apical or subapical flagella. Cell wall made of cellulose. Lives in fresh water, some marine.

  Chlorophyta

  ||Back to the Main Page!||