Archaeplastida and Algae Characteristics

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to Archaeplastida and algae characteristics discussed in the provided lecture notes.

Archaeplastida

A group of photosynthetic organisms that possess a plastid with chlorophyll type 'a', derived from primary endosymbiosis with a cyanobacterium.

Rhodophyta

Commonly known as red algae; mostly autotrophic, aquatic organisms that are mostly multicellular and lack flagella and centrioles.

Phycoerythrin

A photosynthetic pigment in red algae that aids in light absorption.

Agar

A gelatinous substance derived from red algae, commonly used as a thickening agent in food and other products.

Carrageenan

A compound extracted from red algae that is used as a thickener or stabilizer in various food products.

Chlorophyll a and b

The two types of chlorophyll pigments found in green algae, essential for photosynthesis.

Centriole

A cellular structure found in many eukaryotic cells; absent in Rhodophyta.

Chlamydomonas

A unicellular green alga with a unique glycoprotein cell wall instead of cellulose.

Pyrenoid

A structure within the chloroplasts of certain algae that contains enzymes and proteins for CO2 fixation.

Zygotic meiosis

A type of reproduction in which the zygote undergoes meiosis to produce haploid spores.

Haploid

A cellular state characterized by having one set of chromosomes, denoted as (n).

Diploid

A cellular state characterized by having two sets of chromosomes, denoted as (2n).