Patinga. Christine Mae V.

BSEDS 13 – A

1. Name and describe the different types of algal thalli.

It varies from the relative simplicity of a single cell to the more striking complexity of
multicellular forms, such as the giant kelps. Single-celled algae may be as small as bacteria,
whereas kelp can attain a size over 75 m in length. Algae are unicellular, colonial, filamentous,
membranous and bladelike, or tubular.

 Unicellular
The unicellular types are seen in all groups of algae with the exception of the class
Phaeophyceae. The unicellular types may be amoeboid motile or non-motile, the motility being
due to the movement of the flagella attached at the anterior end.

 Aggregates
Aggregates are formed by the collection of single cells to make thallus. Unlike the coenobium
the aggregation of cells does not have fixed number of cells shape or size. The cells are
aggregated into more or less irregular colony like mass. When the cells divide, the daughter cells
remain in same gelatinous mass. Thus there is increase in the number of cells after division. The
aggregates can be palmelloid, dendroid and rhizopodial in form.

 Colonial
A further evolution of the unicellular types from occasional and indefinite type of colony like
structures—with independent individual cells inside it to a well-defined colony prasinocladus
with interlinks among the cells results in a true colonial habit. Here varying numbers of unicells
aggregate together in different ways, often within a mucous envelope. Colonial forms are seen
among Chlorophyceae. Chrysophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Dinophyceae, Xanthophyceae etc.
The colony may be (a) motile or (b) non-motile.

 Filamentous
A further development would involve a more closely knit structure, i.e., the division of the single
cell into many daughter cells with septa between the divided cells and common lateral walls
derived from the mother cell. If the plane of cell division is transverse to the long axis of the
thallus i.e., elongation followed by division, a filamentous type of construction would be formed.
This type of multicellular thallus organization is seen in the filamentous types, common to most
of the algae. Under the filamentous habit several types are possible. Filaments may be branched
or un-branched.

 Siphonaceous
In a number of algae, belonging to Siphonales e.g., in Vaucheria, Botrydium, the growth of the
plant body lakes place without the usual cross-wall formation except during formation of
reproductive organs. Thus a ‘tube’-like multinucleate structure, or a coenocyte, is produced. This
structure is interpreted as a multinucleate or coenocyte cell by some and as acellular by others.
The simplest organization is in the form of a small un-branched vesicle. It contains a central
vacuole with chloroplasts and nuclei in the peripheral cytoplasm.

 Parenchymatous
Parenchymatous thallus organization also is a modification of the filamentous habit, with cell
division in more than one plane. Depending upon the nature of cell division, the parenchymatous
thalli may be ‘leaf-like’ or foliose, tubular or highly developed structure. Flat, foliose or tubular
thalli are formed by the division of the cells two or three planes. Common examples of flat and
foliose structures in Viva (Chlorophyceae), Punctaria (Phaeophyceae) and Porphyra
(Rhodophyceae).

2. What body forms do the green algae exhibit?

Prototheca cells are fairly common in the soil, and it is from this site that most infections occur.
Severe systemic infections, such as massive invasion of the bloodstream, have been reported in
animals.

3. Why is the green algae, Prototheca medically important?

A green alga, Prototheca moriformis, causes the disease protothecosis in humans and animals.
Prototheca cells are fairly common in the soil, and it is from this site that most infections occur.
Severe systemic infections, such as massive invasion of the bloodstream, have been reported in
animals. More common in humans is the subcutaneous type of infection. It starts as a small
lesion and spreads slowly through the lymph glands, covering large areas of the body.

4. Briefly describe the major characteristics of the euglenoids, Chrysophyta and diatoms.
The euglenoids share with the Chlorophyta and Charophyta the presence of chlorophylls a and b
in their chloroplasts. The primary storage product is paramylon (a polysaccharide composed of -
1,3 linked glucose molecules), which is unique to euglenoids. They occur in fresh, brackish, and
marine waters and on moist soils; they often form water blooms in ponds and cattle water tanks.
In molecular classification schemes, euglenoids are associated with the amoeboflagellates
(flagellated protozoa) and kinetoplastids because all members have related rRNA sequences and
mitochondria with discoid cristae at some stage in their life cycle.

The division Chrysophyta is quite diversified with respect to pigment composition, cell wall, and
type of flagellated cells. In molecular classification schemes, these algae are associated with the
stramenopiles and have mitochondria with tubular cristae (Phylogenetic Diagram 26). The
division is divided into three major classes: golden-brown algae, yellow-green algae, and
diatoms.

The diatoms are photosynthetic, circular or oblong chrysophyte cells with frustules composed of
two halves or thecae that overlap like a petri dish. The larger half is the epitheca, and the smaller
half is the hypotheca. Diatoms grow in freshwater, salt water, and moist soil and comprise a
large part of the phytoplankton.

5. Why do red algae appear red?

Red algae are red because of the presence of the pigment phycoerythrin; this pigment reflects red
light and absorbs blue light.