Multicellular Primary Producers (Macro Algae) (Mia's Version)

Thallus:

the seaweed body

Blade:

the flattened part of the thallus

Holdfast:

structure attaching the thallus to a surface

Stipe:

stem-lie structure between Holdfast and blade

Air bladder:

buoys the plant for maximum sunlight for photosynthesis.

Green Algae, scientific name:

Chlorphyta

Green Algae, Habitat:

mostly freshwater, multicellular are typically marine

Green Algae, Cell Structure:

mostly uni-cellular

Green Algae, ecological roles:

food and shelter for some small species

Green Algae, commercial uses:

Nori, supplement in some aquaculture foods

Red algae, scientific name:

Rhodophyta

Red algae, habitat:

98% of 6000 species are marine, mostly benthic in distribution

Red algae, cell structure:

Almost all are multicellular

Red algae, ecological roles:

aid in the creation of coral reefs (red coralline algae precipitates calcium carbonate)

Red algae, Commercial uses:

phycocolloids from cell walls are valued for gelling and stiffening. Irish moss

Brown Algae, scientific name:

Paeophyta

Brown Algae, habitat:

almost exclusively marine (99.7%), mostly benthic, more abundant in coastlines of higher latitudes

Brown Algae, cell structure:

multicellular, had air bladder

Brown Algae, ecological roles:

kelp forest house for diverse organisms

Brown Algae, commercial uses:

thickening agents for food, cosmetic, dental, and tile industries. Food for some and cattle feed for some.