Red Algae
Red algae, belonging to the phylum Rhodophyta, comprises around 6,000 species, with most being complex, multicellular organisms. Notable for their unique pigments, such as phycoerythrin, they reflect red light and thrive in deeper ocean waters. These algae attach to rocks via basal holdfasts and reproduce through alternation of sexual and asexual stages. They are economically significant, providing agar and carrageenan as food thickeners. Primarily found in warm, tropical waters, they also inhabit tide pools and coral reefs, contributing to marine ecosystems.
Red Algae
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Presentation Transcript
Red Algae By: Carly Muller and Jess Lin
Description • Around 6,000 species • Few simple, unicellular • Majority complex, multicellular, and plant-like • Body composed of interwoven filaments (feathery) • Some have flattened sheets of cells • Phylum: Phodophyta • Attach to rocks by basal holdfast • No flagella • Reproduce in alternation of sexual and asexual stages
Pigmentation • Chloroplasts contain Phycoerythrin • Provides red color by absorbing blue light and reflecting red • Allow to live deeper in ocean • Same pigment composition as cyanobacteria
Uses • Sticky polysaccharides in cell wall • Used to produce agar and as a food thickener • Carrageenan: food additive to stabilize chocolate milk and for creamy texture in ice cream • Eaten by fish, crustaceans, worms • Help treat herpes simplex virus
Habitat • Primarily warm tropical ocean waters • Some fresh water and soil • Most commonly in tide pools and coral reefs
