Algae: The chlorophyll containing, photosynthetic, non-vascular, thalloid and aquatic plants are called algae. Carolus Linnaeus termed the plants with such characteristics as ‘algae’. Robert Whittaker placed them in Kingdom Plantae. They have no true roots and true shoots with leaves. They lack flowers, fruits and seeds. Even after that, they are included under the plant kingdom by Eichler. Approximately 1 million species of algae were discovered. They are the first plant group that emerged from the unicellular aquatic organisms like cyanobacteria or blue-green algae.

Specific general characteristics of algae are common to plants as well as animals. Algal cells are eukaryotic. For instance, algae can photosynthesize like plants, and they possess specialized structures and cell-organelles, like centrioles and flagella, found only in animals. The algal cell walls consist of mannans, cellulose and Galatians.

• They are photosynthetic organisms
• They can be either unicellular or multicellular organisms
• They lack a well-defined body, so, structures like roots, stems or leaves are absent
• They are found where there is adequate moisture.
• Reproduction in algae occurs in both asexual and sexual forms. Asexual reproduction occurs by spore formation.
• They are free-living, although some can form a symbiotic relationship with other organisms.

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By Team Learning Mantras