Public Health Engineering: Phycology and Algae Review

Practice vocabulary flashcards covering algal cell organelles, structural features, taxonomic groups, phycocolloids, harmful algal blooms, and toxic shellfish/fish poisonings.

Cell Wall

Outer covering composed mainly of cellulose, glycoproteins, or silica (in diatoms) that provides structural support, protection, maintains cell shape, and prevents osmotic lysis.

Plasma Membrane

Semi-permeable membrane beneath the cell wall that regulates the transport of nutrients, gases, and wastes in and out of the cell.

Cytoplasm

Gel-like substance inside the cell membrane containing organelles, serving as the site of most metabolic reactions and providing a medium for molecular movement.

Nucleus

Membrane-bound structure containing chromosomes and nucleolus that controls cell activities including growth, metabolism, and reproduction.

Chloroplast

Double-membrane organelle containing chlorophyll and accessory pigments that serves as the site of photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy.

Pyrenoid

Proteinaceous body found within chloroplasts associated with starch granules, involved in starch formation and carbon dioxide fixation during photosynthesis.

Mitochondrion

Double-membrane organelle present in eukaryotic algae that produces ATP through cellular respiration.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

Network of membranes connected to the nuclear envelope (smooth or rough) involved in protein and lipid synthesis and material transport within the cell.

Golgi Apparatus

Flattened membrane sacs near the ER that modify, package, and distribute proteins and polysaccharides.

Contractile Vacuole

Fluid-filled organelle common in freshwater algae that expels excess water to maintain osmotic balance and prevent cell bursting.

Eyespot (Stigma)

Pigmented light-sensitive structure near the base of the flagellum that detects light direction and intensity to guide phototaxis.

Basal Body

Organelle located at the base of the flagellum that anchors it and organizes its microtubule structure.

Cyanobacteria

Photosynthetic prokaryotic bacteria, often called blue-green algae, that lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Frustules

Silica shells characteristic of diatoms.

Pellicle

Thick outer protein covering beneath or replacing the cell wall in euglenids that provides strength and flexibility.

Phycocolloids

Algal colloids extracted from the cell walls of seaweeds using hot water, including alginates, agars, and carrageenans.

Algin (Alginate)

Anionic polysaccharide distributed in the cell walls of brown algae used as a thickening agent in products such as ice cream, toothpaste, and lotions.

Agar

Phycocolloid extracted from Gelidium, Gracilaria, Pterocladia, and Ahnfeltia, used as a stiffening agent in growth media and an emulsion stabilizer.

Carrageenan

Phycocolloid extracted from Gigartina stellata, Chondrus crispus, and Eucheuma, requiring higher concentrations than agar to form gels and used to stabilize foods.

Chlorophyta

Phylum of green algae mostly restricted to freshwater and terrestrial environments, containing chlorophyll a and b and storing starch.

Spirogyra

Filamentous green alga commonly known as water silk, mermaid's tresses, or blanket weed that reproduces through conjugation.

Rhodophyta

Phylum of red algae containing phycobilins that mask chlorophyll, representing the largest group of seaweeds and mostly found in marine environments.

Phaeophyta

Phylum of brown algae dominated by the pigment fucoxanthin, containing the largest and most complex seaweeds such as kelps.

Chrysophyta

Phylum of golden-brown algae, including diatoms with silica shells whose fossil deposits form diatomaceous earth.

Pyrrophyta

Phylum of dinoflagellates ("fire algae") characterized by cellulose-containing armor plates, two flagella ("spinning swimmers"), and causing red tides.

Gonyaulax

Dinoflagellate genus that produces neurotoxins responsible for poisonous red tides affecting marine fauna.

Ciguatera Fish Poisoning

Illness caused by ciguatoxin and maitotoxin from Gambierdiscus toxicus, bioaccumulating in large bottom-dwelling reef fish.

Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning

Mild gastrointestinal illness caused by okadaic acids and dinophysistoxins produced by dinoflagellates like Dinophysis and Prorocentrum lima.

Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning

Illness caused by brevetoxins from Karenia brevis, leading to gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms, as well as massive fish kills.

Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning

Severe condition caused by saxitoxins from Alexandrium, Gymnodinium, and Pyrodinium, resulting in neurological symptoms, diaphragmatic paralysis, and death by asphyxiation.

Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning

Condition caused by domoic acid produced by Pseudo-nitzschia diatoms.

Euglenids (Euglenophyta)

Unicellular motile organisms possessing chloroplasts alongside protozoan features such as a cytostome, flagella, and pellicle instead of a cell wall.

Protothecosis

Disease (also known as Algaemia) in humans and animals caused by Prototheca, a green alga lacking chlorophyll that enters the bloodstream.

Fucoxanthin

Photosynthetic accessory pigment that dominates over chlorophyll in brown algae (Phaeophyta).

Laminarin

Major reserve carbohydrate found in brown algae alongside oil.