GREEN ALGAE CHLOROPHYTA

GREEN ALGAE CHLOROPHYTA Ariel Cordova, Rachel Schultz, Aaron Baker, Nick KinnieClassificationDomain: Eukarya Kingdom: ProtistaThe green algae were formerly classified in kingdom plantae, based on:Green algae use chlorophyll a and b in photosynthesisThe chloroplasts are enclosed in a double membraneGreen algae manufacture their own food and store it as starch like other plants It is now classified as a protist, as it does not have the complexity to be considered a plant.ClassificationSupergroup: ArcheaplastidaClade: Chlorophyta (approximately 7000 species)Algae are grouped in this clade based upon pigmentation and cell wall compositionChlorophyta is named for the prominent green chloroplast. This classification makes sense as it groups terrestrial plants and green algae in the same supergroup. Green Algae are thought to be the early ancestors of modern terrestrial plants.

Similarities and differences between terrestrial plant cells and green algae cellsGreen Algae CellsContain membrane-bound chloroplasts, nucleus, central vacuole, and double layered cell wall made of cellulose.Do not contain phyllids or rhizoidsPrimarily AquaticTerrestrial Plant CellsContain membrane-bound chloroplasts, nucleus, central vacuole, and double layered cell wall made of cellulose.Do contain phyllids or rhizoidsPrimarily Terrestrial

Differences in Algae Some may occur as single cellsSingle cells can be either mobile or immobileOthers may exist as coloniesColonies more likely immobileOthers also occur in multicellular filaments

Fun Facts about Algae!!!90% of Algae live in freshwaterSome algae even live in snow!!Mobile algae move with flagellaHave complex lifestyles and can reproduce asexually and sexually

Asexual ReproductionA mature algae cell is haploid This means the mature algae will undergo mitosis to produce replicate copies of myself, this happens through;Fission (or splitting)BuddingFragmentationZoospores

Sexual ReproductionOccurs when conditions get roughMature cell is still haploid and undergoes mitosis to produce gametes.When gametes released they will fuse with another algaes gametes to create a zygoteZygote is now diploidZygote produces outer layer that protects from difficult conditions

Sexual Reproduction ContinuedWhen conditions improve the zygote them undergoes meiosis producing four new haploid individualsThrough this many chlorophytes exhibit alteration of generations between haploid and diploid

Reproduction Diagram

Algaes niche Lives in photic layerUndergoes photosynthesisPrimary producer on many food websMain food source for many micro-organisms and other marine life

Algae and UsPsalm 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the LordMarine plants including green algae produce an estimated 70% of the worlds oxygen supplyPlays a role in reducing global warming as it absorbs and stores much of the worlds CO2 emissions

Algae and Us continuedMelting polar ice leads to an increase in iron levels in the ocean which promote algae growthTherefore more algae to absorb the carbon dioxide

Other usesAs a food producerPigment beta carotene can be used in cancer treatmentBeta carotene is also used in food coloring

Negatives Rapid population increase = algae blooms which sucks oxygen from marine environmentsThis kills many marine organismsAlso causes weird tasting drinking water

Works CitedDolphin, Warren D., and David Vleck.(2015) "Investigating Bacterial Diversity." Biological Investigations: Form, Function, Diversity, and Process. Tenth ed. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2015. 187-189. Reece, Jane B., Lisa A. Urry, Michael L. Cain, Steven Alexander Wasserman, Peter V. Minorsky, Rob Jackson, and Neil A. Campbell. (2014) Campbell Biology: Canadian Edition. 634-635.

Guiry, M. D. (2014 October 01). Chlorophyta: Green Algae. The Seaweed Site. Retrieved from http://www.seaweed.ie/algae/chlorophyta.php on September 24, 2014.Macfarlane, J. (2009 January 4). Amazing discovery of green algae which could save the world from global warming. Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1104772/Amazing-discovery-green-algae-save-world-global-warming.html on September 24, 2014.Baxamusa, B. N. (2011 October 3). Chlorophyta: The Green Algae. Retrieved from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/chlorophyta-the-green-algae.html on September 24, 2014Algabase organization. (n.d). Taxonomy Browser. Retrieved from: http://algaebase.org/browse/taxonomy/?id=97241 Life of Plants. (n.d). Green Algae. Retrieved from: http://lifeofplant.blogspot.ca/2011/03/green-algae.htmlThe Seaweed Site: information on marine algae. (n.d). Chlorophyta: Green Algae. Retrieved from: http://www.seaweed.ie/algae/chlorophyta.php UCMP. (n.d). Introduction to the Green Algae. Retrieved from: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/greenalgae/greenalgae.htmlHall, Jack (2011 September 12) The most important organism. Retrieved fromhttp://www.ecology.com/2011/09/12/important-organism/