Transcript Green algae

*Refer to Chapter 5 in your Textbook
Learning Goals:
1. I can differentiate between algae and marine
plants.
2. I can label & describe the structure of both algae
and marine plants.
3. I can explain the ecological role of both algae and
marine plants .
Algae Classification:
 Macroalgae = “Seaweed”
 Kingdom Protista
 3 Phylums:
Chlorophyta = green algae
2. Rhodophyta = red algae
3. Phaephyta = brown algae
1.
Algae Structure:
 No roots, stems, or leaves
 Thallus: entire body
 Blade: “leaves” photosynthesize
 Stipe: “stem” but does not transport nutrients
 Holdfast: “roots” but does not absorb
nutrients
 Float: filled with air/gas
Algae Ecosystems:
 Green algae is the least common in the ocean, but it
is found on rocky shore & lagoon ecosystems
 Red algae is the only algae that can create a hard
outer skeleton to contribute to coral reef ecosystems
 Brown algae is the most common in the ocean, and
the only algae large enough to create an entire kelp
forest ecosystem
Algae Uses:
 Green algae is mostly used for food, cosmetic, &
medicinal purposes
 They are also trying to turn green algae into a biofuel
 Red algae is also used as food in sushi & as a
thickening agent in food like ice cream
 Brown algae can be used in herbal supplements as
well as extracting iodine
Marine Plant Classification:
 Kingdom Plantae
 Phylum Anthophyta = flowering plants (seagrass &
mangroves)
 3 Types of Mangroves =
1.
Red
2.
Black
3.
White
 LOTS of types of Seagrass
 Seagrass is considered to be the only “truly marine plant”
 Hydrophyte: lives submerged beneath the water
Paddle Grass
Turtle Grass
Widgeon Grass
Shoal Grass
Manatee Grass
Red Mangroves:
defining feature
prop/drop roots
above ground
Black Mangroves:
defining feature
pneumatophores
which are roots that
stick out of the
ground like fingers
White Mangroves:
defining feature is a
white flower that
blooms within the
leaves
Marine Plant Structure:
Structurally more complex than algae:
 Leaf: where photosynthesis occurs & gas is released
 Stem: transports water & nutrients through plant
 Roots: absorb water & nutrients, anchor plant
 Seed: contains a dormant embryonic plant
 Fruit: layers of tissue protecting the seed
 Vascular Tissues:
 Phloem: carries nutrients from roots to other parts of
the plant
 Xylem: carries water, provides structural support
Structure
Marine Plant Ecosystems:
 Seagrass beds provide habitat for many microbes and
small organisms like stingrays, crabs, seastars, shrimp
in a variety of habitats such as the lagoon and seafloor
 Mangroves provide entire ecosystems to both land
animals that live in the tree branches, and marine
animals that live under roots.
Marine Plant Uses:
 Both seagrass and mangrove leaves are food for
herbivores
 Seagrass reduces turbidity (cloudiness) because the
roots stabilize the ocean floor preventing currents and
waves from stirring up sediments
 Mangroves protect coastlines from storm erosion and
create nurseries for baby animals
 Plant Human Uses:
 Wood for hunting tools, contruction
 Creating furniture, rooftops, footwear, fishing line, etc
 Herbal medicinal recipes
 Etc.
Marine Plant Uses:
 Both seagrass & mangroves can be
used for building & extracting dyes
& nutrients
Algae & Plant Zonation:
 Deepest, to shallow, to land =
Algae, Seagrass, Red, Black, & White Mangroves