Predominant photosynthetic pigments, storage products, and cell wall components of the major algal groups

Cyanobacteria - photosynthetic and protective pigments

Chlorophyll a; chlorophyll d and/or f in some; chlorophylls a and b in some; phycobilins; beta-carotene; xanthophylls

Cyanobacteria - storage products

Cyanophycin granules; cyanophytan starch (glycogen)

Cyanobacteria - cell covering

Peptidoglycan

Glaucophytes - photosynthetic and protective pigments

Chlorophyll a; phycobilins; beta-carotene; xanthophylls

Glaucophytes - storage products

Starch

Glaucophytes - cell covering

Cellulose

Chlorarachniophytes - photosynthetic and protective pigments

Chlorophylls a and b; beta-carotene; other carotenes; xanthophylls

Chlorarachniophytes - storage products

Carbohydrate

Chlorarachniophytes - cell covering

Naked

Euglenoids (photosynthetic forms) - photosynthetic and protective pigments

Chlorophylls a and b; beta-carotene; other carotenes; xanthophylls

Euglenoids (photosynthetic forms) - storage products

Paramylon

Euglenoids (photosynthetic forms) - cell covering

Proteinaceous pellicle beneath plasma membrane

Cryptomonads - photosynthetic and protective pigments

Chlorophylls a and c; phycobilins; alpha- and beta-carotene; xanthophylls

Cryptomonads - storage products

Starch

Cryptomonads - cell covering

Proteinaceous periplast beneath plasma membrane

Haptophytes - photosynthetic and protective pigments

Chlorophylls a and c; beta-carotene; xanthophylls

Haptophytes - storage products

Chrysolaminarin

Haptophytes - cell covering

CaCO3 scales common

Dinoflagellates (most photosynthetic forms) - photosynthetic and protective pigments

Chlorophylls a and c; beta-carotene; xanthophylls

Dinoflagellates (most photosynthetic forms) - storage products

Starch

Dinoflagellates (most photosynthetic forms) - cell covering

Vesicles beneath plasma membrane, often containing cellulosic plates

Photosynthetic stramenopiles - photosynthetic and protective pigments

Chlorophylls a and c; chlorophyll a alone in some; beta-carotene; xanthophylls

Photosynthetic stramenopiles - storage products

Chrysolaminarin; lipids

Photosynthetic stramenopiles - cell covering

Some naked; some with silica/organic scales; cellulose and alginates in some

Red algae - photosynthetic and protective pigments

Chlorophyll a; phycobilins; alpha- and beta-carotene; xanthophylls

Red algae - storage products

Floridean starch

Red algae - cell covering

Cellulose; sulfated polysaccharides; some calcified

Green algae - photosynthetic and protective pigments

Chlorophylls a and b; beta-carotene; lutein; other carotenes; xanthophylls

Green algae - storage products

Plant-like starch

Green algae - cell covering

Cellulose; other polysaccharide polymers; organic scales on some; some naked; some calcified