Algae

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Algae

Algae (/ˈældʒi, ˈælɡi/; singular alga /ˈælɡə/) is a diverse group of aquatic organisms that have the ability to conduct photosynthesis. The term is a convenient, but somewhat imprecise, way of grouping various types of plant-like organisms that are usually green, but can also be found in a variety of other colors.

Etymology

The term "algae" comes from the Latin word for "seaweed" and was first used in English in the late 18th century to refer to any plant-like organism that lives in water and can photosynthesize.

Types of Algae

There are several different types of algae, including green algae, red algae, brown algae, and blue-green algae. Each of these types has its own unique characteristics and can be found in different types of environments.

Green Algae

Green algae are a large group of algae that includes over 7,000 species. They are named for their green color, which comes from the chlorophyll that they use to conduct photosynthesis.

Red Algae

Red algae are a group of algae that includes over 6,000 species. They are named for their red color, which comes from the pigment phycoerythrin.

Brown Algae

Brown algae are a group of algae that includes over 1,500 species. They are named for their brown color, which comes from the pigment fucoxanthin.

Blue-Green Algae

Blue-green algae are a group of algae that are actually a type of bacteria. They are named for their blue-green color, which comes from the pigment phycocyanin.

Related Terms

  • Photosynthesis: The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the aid of chlorophyll pigments.
  • Chlorophyll: A green pigment, present in all green plants and in cyanobacteria, responsible for the absorption of light to provide energy for photosynthesis.
  • Phycoerythrin: A red protein-pigment complex from red algae that absorbs light and plays a key role in photosynthesis.
  • Fucoxanthin: A brown pigment found in and used by brown algae, diatoms, and other heterokonts in photosynthesis.
  • Phycocyanin: A pigment-protein complex from the light-harvesting phycobiliprotein family, along with allophycocyanin and phycoerythrin. It is an accessory pigment to chlorophyll.

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