Algae Diversity and Green Plants Review (Lecture Notes)

A set of vocabulary-focused flashcards covering algae diversity, major lineages, reproduction, pigments, structural features, and ecological roles based on the lecture notes.

Isogamy

A gamete type where all gametes are identical and cannot be distinguished as male or female; mating types often labeled + and -.

Anisogamy

Gametes differ in size, with the smaller one typically male and the larger one female; both may have flagella.

Oogamy

A reproductive system with a large, immobile female gamete and a small, mobile male gamete.

Euglena

Genus of unicellular, photosynthetic organisms in the group Discoba (Euglenozoa); contains chloroplasts.

Chloroplast

Organelle where photosynthesis occurs; in Viridiplantae typically double-membrane enclosed.

Stramenopila

A major eukaryotic lineage that includes brown algae and diatoms; characterized by diverse algae and skip to flagella features.

Phaeophyta

Brown algae, often marine and multicellular; includes kelp; stores energy as laminarin.

Bacillariophyta

Diatoms; unicellular algae with intricate silica cell walls; visible under electron microscopy.

Rhodophyta (Red algae)

Red algae; mostly marine, with phycobilin pigments; store floridean starch; produce agar and carrageenan.

Coralline algae

Red algae with calcium carbonate in their cell walls; helps cement reefs together.

Nori (Porphyra)

A sushi seaweed derived from red algae used in food products.

Carrageenans

Sulfated polysaccharides from red algae used as gelling/thickening agents in foods and industry.

Floridean starch

Storage carbohydrate in red algae; a modified form of starch distinct from glycogen.

Phycobilin pigments

Accessory photosynthetic pigments in red algae; include phycoerythrin and phycocyanin, giving red coloration.

Phycoerythrin

Red phycobilin pigment found in red algae.

Phycocyanin

Blue-green phycobilin pigment found in red algae.

Chlorophyll a and b

Primary pigments in green algae and land plants; enable photosynthesis.

Carotenoids

Accessory pigments in plants and algae; assist in light capture and protect against damage.

Chlorophyta (green algae)

Green algae; diverse clades within Viridiplantae, mostly aquatic; ancestors of land plants.

Streptophyta

Clade including land plants and some green algae; origin of land plants; includes Charales and Coleochaetales.

Charales

Ancient lineage of green algae with plant-like features; complex reproductive structures and sterile outer cell layers; flavonoids produced.

Coleochaetales

Green algae group considered a close relative to land plants; simpler than Charales but important for understanding plant evolution.

Chara

A complex, plant-like green alga with dichotomously branched filaments and leaf-like structures; features an apical cell and sterile outer layer in some reproductive structures.

Antheridia

Male reproductive organs (gametangia) producing sperm in Charales and some algae.

Archegonia

Female reproductive organs (gametangia) producing eggs in Charales and some algae.

Pyrenoids

Protein-rich bodies within chloroplasts involved in starch formation; common in green algae and mosses.

Zygospore

Thick-walled diploid resting spore formed after fertilization in algae like Chlamydomonas.

Volvox

Colonial green alga composed of many connected individuals forming a hollow sphere; exhibits synchronized flagellar movement and both asexual and sexual reproduction.

Chlamydomonas

Unicellular green alga with two anterior flagella and an eyespot; studied for its life cycle including a sexual phase with zygote formation and meiosis.

Lichens

Mutualistic association between green algae (or cyanobacteria) and fungi; ecological role includes symbiotic partnerships.

Primary production (algae)

Algae-driven photosynthesis at the base of aquatic food webs, supplying organic matter and oxygen.