Name: Leander C.

Creer Date Performed: March 14, 2019

Course/Year: BS Biology I Date Submitted: March 21, 2019

EXERCISE 13
The Algae

I. Introduction
Algae are eukaryotic organisms, which are organisms whose cells contain a nucleus
and other structures (organelles) enclosed within membranes. They live in moist
environments, mostly aquatic, and contain chlorophyll. Algae can live in nearly any
environment as long as there is moisture and adequate sunlight for growth. This can include
natural and artificial water sources and moist soils. Algae can grow as single cells, long
filaments, or huge aggregates, but there is no tissue differentiation in algal colonies.
Algae is an informal term for a large, diverse group of photosynthetic eukaryotic
organisms that are not necessarily closely related, and is thus polyphyletic. Including
organisms ranging from unicellular microalgae genera, such as Chlorella and the diatoms,
to multicellular forms, such as the giant kelp, a large brown alga which may grow up to 50
m in length. Most are aquatic and autotrophic and lack many of the distinct cell and tissue
types, such as stomata, xylem, and phloem, which are found in land plants. The largest and
most complex marine algae are called seaweeds, while the most complex freshwater forms
are the Charophyta, a division of green algae which includes, for example, Spirogyra and
the stoneworts. The taxonomy of algae is contentious and subject to rapid change as new
molecular information is discovered.

II. Objectives
The objectives of the exercise were the following: First, was to observe
representatives of the algal lineage closely related to land plants and second, was to know
the internal and external features used in identification of algae

III. Procedures

In the exercise, the first part that was done was the observation of the characteristics
of the chosen algae specimens. The external structures of the algae were seen and noted.
On the next part, prepared slides of green algae (Chlorophyta) and brown algae
(Phaeophyta) were observed under the microscope to see the internal structure of algae.
 IV. Results and Discussion

Fig 1. Green algae (Eucheuma denticulatum) Fig 2. Green Algae (Caulerpa lentillifera)

Fig 3. Brown Algae (Sargassum sp.) Fig 4. Red Algae ( Gracilaria corticata)
Prepared slides:

Fig 5. Phaeophyta (Sargassum) in x.s Fig 6. Phaeophyta (Sargassum) in x.s

100x magnification 400x magnification

Fig 7. Chlorophyta (Ulothrix) in x.s Fig 8. Chlorophyta (Ulothrix) in x.s

100x magnification 400x magnification
Study Questions:
1. What are the differences between seagrass and seaweed?
Seagrass can easily be confused with marine macroalgae, or seaweed, but there are
many important differences between the two. While seagrasses are considered vascular
plants and have roots, stems and leaves, seaweed are multi-cellular algae and have little or
no vascular tissues. The two differ in reproduction, structure, and how they transport
nutrients and dissolved gases. The table below shows the differences between the two

Features Seagrass Seaweed

Reproduction Have separate sexes; Produce spores
produce flowers, fruits, and
seeds
Structure Evolved from terrestrial Relatively simple and
plants and have tissues that unspecialized. Holdfast
are specialized for certain anchors plant to a hard
tasks. Possess roots, leaves, surface; does not possess
and underground stems roots extending below the
called rhizomes that hold surface.
plants in place.
Transport/Clarification Use roots and rhizomes to Use diffusion to extract
extract nutrients from the nutrients from the water.
sediment; use leaves for Not plants or animals, but
extracting nutrients from protists.
the water. Are categorized
as vascular, with a network
of xylem and phloem that
transport nutrients and
dissolved gases throughout
the plant.

2. What commercial products are derived from algae? Describe at least five.

The following are products that are algae based:

1. Abrasives - Diatoms are algae that have glass-like shells made from organic
compounds and silica. These shells are used in a wide range of products due to their micro-
abrasive nature and are most commonly found in water filtration systems. They can also
be used in bathtub cleaners as well as organic pest controls as a natural desiccant.
2. Cosmetics - Many skin treatments and cosmetics also contain algae. Algae make
great industrial thickeners, and some companies also claim antioxidant, mineral
replenishing, and moisturizing benefits from algae. Algae anti-aging creams, detoxifying
masks, and cleansers can be found in a drug store near you.
 3. Food Additives - Carrageenan and algin are food additives extracted from
seaweeds (a.k.a. macroalgae) and are used widely in the food industry as thickeners. They
can be found in thousands of food products—everything from yogurt to baby formula to
ice cream.
4. Nutritional Supplements - The microalgae Spirulina and Chlorella have
been widely marketed as nutritional supplements for both humans and animals. Several
microalgae with a high nutritional value and energy content are grown commercially as
aquaculture feed.
5. Fertilizers - Consumer interest in organic farming has led to algae’s popularity
as a fertilizer source. Algae contain minerals and nutrients and support nitrogen fixation
and phosphate solubilization to promote healthy plant growth.

3. What two characteristics found within the green algae are clues that this group of
organisms is more closely related to the land plants than the other groups of algae?
The two characteristics found within green algae that are clues which makes them
closely related to land plants than other groups of algae are because of the presences of
both chlorophyll a and b and processing carbohydrates as starch. The land plants, those
plants which can grow and live on dry land, all share a common ancestor. That ancestor is
green algae, a type of algae characterized by having both chlorophyll a and b and
processing carbohydrates as starch.
Around 410 million years ago, during the Silurian period of the Paleozoic era, mats
of a multicellular, broad green algae called charophytes began to adapt from shallow
freshwater to open air. Some charophytes evolved into bryophytes, land plants without
vascular tissue, but with cuticle wax covering them to protect them from drying out. These
were the first true land plants, and from here they evolved into hundreds of thousands of
plants with vascular tissues we see all around us today. Green algae are the basis of one
massive family tree.
V. Conclusion
In this exercise, different species of algae were observed and their structures were
identified and studied. Prepared slides of Phaeophyta and Chlorophyta were also examined
under the microscope to observe the internal structure of the algae. The activity showed how
algae are similar to plants yet they belong to many kingdoms. Algae are not a single taxonomic
entity. Molecular phylogeny (gene sequencing) and other characters show they belong to four
kingdoms: Kingdom Plantae (e.g. chlorophytes and rhodophytes - green and red algae), the
Kingdom Chromista (e.g. phaeophytes - brown algae - dinoflagellates, and diatoms), the
Kingdom Protista (e.g. Euglenophytes), and the Kingdom Bacteria (cyanophytes). It is also
known that most algae are photoautotrophic and carry on photosynthesis. Some forms,
however, are chemoheterotrophic and obtain energy from chemical reactions and nutrients
from preformed organic matter. Most species are saprobes, and some are parasites. The
external structures of the chosen specimens that were used in this exercise were observed and
their structure were quite similar to plants yet also have distinct differences. Algae lack
vascular structures, which are tubes that are found within plants to transport nutrients
throughout the plant. Plants also have reproductive structures, whereas most algae reproduce
asexually or by cell division. In conclusion, algae are eukaryotic cells, or cells that contain a
nucleus, which makes them slightly more complex than bacteria. They also contain
chloroplasts, which are structures that generate energy for the cell through photosynthesis.
They are also a group of organisms that show a great variety in structure and size, ranging from
microscopic to over 50 meters in length. In general, they are considered plant-like, as they are
photosynthetic. They do not, however, have roots or vessels like plants, and are almost always
aquatic. The different divisions, or phyla, of algae are largely based upon structural differences.

VI. References

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algae
 https://www.e-education.psu.edu/egee439/node/693
 https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-algae-definition-characteristics-
examples.html
 https://www.britannica.com/science/algae
 https://myfwc.com/research/habitat/seagrasses/information/seagrass-vs-
seaweed/
 https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-evolution-of-green-algae-into-land-
plants.htmlv