Overview of Algae

Algae are eukaryotic photoautotrophs that lack xylem and phloem.

They can be unicellular organisms, filamentous chains, or multicellular.

Predominantly aquatic, algae can be found in soil, on tree surfaces, and even on animal fur.

Algae primarily rely on water for physical support, reproduction, and nutrient diffusion.

For example, in seaweed, the thallus consists of branched holdfasts for anchoring, stemlike stipes, and leaflike blades.

Algae reproduce both asexually and sexually.

Asexual reproduction in unicellular algae occurs through mitosis, followed by cytokinesis. Meanwhile, multicellular algae asexually reproduce through fragmentation, where each fragment develops into a new organism.

Algal sexual reproduction includes gamete formation, fertilization, zygote formation, and meiosis.

Some species exhibit an alternation of generations, where offspring from sexual reproduction undergo asexual reproduction, followed by a generation that reproduces sexually.

Algae are classified into different phyla — brown algae, diatoms, dinoflagellates, water molds, red algae, and green algae.