Algae and Water Plants Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary practice flashcards based on Lecture 11: Algae and Water Plants.

Chlorophyta

A phylum of green algae, mostly freshwater, whose cells contain the same plastids and photosynthetic pigments (Chlorophyll $a$ & $b$, Carotenoids) as land plants.

Rhodophyta

A phylum of red algae consisting mostly of multicellular marine macroalgae that contain Chlorophyll $a$ & $b$, carotenoids, phycobilins (phycoerythrin), and exhibit unusually complex life cycles.

Heterokontophyta

A group of 'golden' algae (stramenopiles) with tertiary plastids that generally utilize Chlorophyll $a$ & $c$, carotenoids, and xanthophyll for photosynthesis.

Phaeophyta

A class/group of brown algae comprising all multicellular, predominantly marine organisms that contain Chlorophyll $a$ & $c$ and carotenoids like xanthophyll and fucoxanthin.

Valonia ventricosa

A tropical green algae species (bubble algae) and periphyton that is one of the largest single-celled organisms on Earth, enabled by a large central vacuole and multiple nuclei.

Porphyra

A genus of red algae commonly used as a human food source, specifically known as nori in sushi preparation.

Carrageenan

A gel-like extract derived from red algae that serves as a food stabilizer.

Agar

A gelatinous substance extracted from red algae, used in cooking gelatin and as a solid growth medium in microbiology.

Asparagopsis taxiformis

A species of red algae used as cattle feed that can reduce methane ($\text{CH}_4$) emissions by up to $77\%$.

Coccolithophores

Marine haptophytes within golden algae characterized by calcite (chalk) coccoliths, capable of forming large blooms of major geological significance.

Blade

The leaf-like structure of a seaweed that offers a high surface area for absorbing light during photosynthesis.

Float (Bladder)

A gas-filled ($\text{CO}$) bulb on a seaweed that holds the photosynthetic blades closer to the surface light source.

Stipe

The stem-like structure of a seaweed that provides physical support to the thallus.

Holdfast

A root-like attachment structure at the base of a seaweed that anchors the thallus to the seabed.

Kelp Forests

Underwater marine ecosystems found in polar and temperate waters dominated by large brown algae like Macrocystis (growing up to $330\,\text{ft}$), which provide primary production, food, and shelter.

Sea Grass

The only 'true' marine plant, possessing roots, leaves, flowers, and seeds, which lives fully submerged in marine or brackish water and forms extensive underwater meadows.

Carposporophyte

The diploid ($2N$) phase in the red algae life cycle that develops directly on the female gametophyte following fertilization and produces $2N$ carpospores.

Tetrasporophyte

The diploid ($2N$) adult phase in the red algae life cycle that grows from a carpospore and undergoes meiosis within tetrasporangia to form haploid ($1N$) tetraspores.

Carpogonium

The female reproductive organ in red algae gametophytes that holds the egg cell.

Spermatangia

The male reproductive structures on male red algae gametophytes that produce and release non-motile sperm/spermatia.

Principal Pigment

The primary light-absorbing pigment required for photosynthesis, consisting of Chlorophyll $a$ in photosynthetic eukaryotes and Bacteriophyll in cyanobacteria.

Accessory Pigments

Light-absorbing compounds (such as Chlorophyll $b, c, d$, carotenoids, xanthophyll, fucoxanthin, and phycobilins) that broaden the spectrum of light usable for photosynthesis.