Algae

PhagocytosisPhagocytosis is the process of converting particles into food vacuoles, and when something large wants to enter the cell membrane, the cell membrane grabs it and engulfs it, leaving no endoplasmic reticulum behind.Back to EuglenoidsDiatom

EuglenoidsEuglenoids are aquatic protists that have both plant-like and animal-like characteristicsPlant-like: Euglenoids have chlorophyll and they perform photosynthesis.Animal-like: When sunlight is unavailable euglenoids can also produce energy by phagocytosis and diffusion.Euglenoids are usually found in freshwater that is rich in minerals with a few marine members.Back to Different Kinds of AlgaeRed Algae

Brown Algae

DiatomsDiatoms are photosynthetic organisms and their shells are made of silica.Diatoms contain chlorophyll and carotenoids, which give them a golden-yellow color.Fish that eat diatoms often have an oily taste because the food diatoms store are oils, not starches.Diatoms reproduce asexually, each generations offspring smaller than the next.Back to Different Kinds of AlgaeDinoflagellate

DinoflagellatesDinoflagellata contain chlorophyll, carotenoids, and red pigments.Few dinoflagellates live in freshwater, but most are marine.Some dinoflagellates produce toxins, that have even caused fish kills.One toxic species, Gonyaulax catanella, has such a strong toxin that makes the ocean a reddish color, called the red tide. This red tide can make people ill, and certain fish products are banned during the season of the red tide.Back to Different Kinds of AlgaeGreenGreen Algae is the most diverse algae, having over 7000 species.The major pigment in green algae is chlorophyll, but some have yellow pigments that give them a yellow-green color.Most green algae live in freshwater, but some live in oceans, moist soil, on tree trunks, snow, even in the fur of sloths.Back to Different Kinds of AlgaeRedRed algae mostly grows in oceans: tropical waters, or along rocky coasts in cold water.Red algae lacks roots, stems, and leaves, so it uses holdfasts to attach to rocks.Along with chlorophyll, red algae contains photosynthetic pigments call phycobilins.The phycobilins absorb green, violet, and blue light, which is the only light in water depths of 100 m. Therefore, red algae can live in deep waters where other algae cannot.Back to Different Kinds of AlgaeBrownAlmost all brown algae species live in salt water along rocky coasts in cool areas of the world.Brown algae contains chlorphyll, but what gives it the brown color is a yellow-brown carotenoid called fucoxanthin.The largest and most complex species of brown algae is kelp.Back to Different Kinds of Algae