Thallophytes
Dr. Zahra Jabeen
Learning objectives
➢ Introduction & General Characteristics of Algae
➢ Diversity of Algae
➢ Benefits of Algae
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Thallophytes
Algae Fungi
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Thallophyte – Algae
➢ Photosynthetic protists collectively
known as algae are widely distributed
in oceans and lakes.
➢ Most species are single-celled, but
some form multicellular aggregation
known as seaweed.
➢ The single-cell algal species are
collectively known as phytoplankton.
➢ Marine phytoplankton account for
nearly 70% of all the photosynthetic
activity on earth.
Algae
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GENERAL CHRACTERISTICS
➢ Thallus plants
A thallus is a plant body without differentiation into true roots,
stems, or leaves as found in the higher plants.
➢ Habitat
• Most are aquatic marine/ fresh water.
• Some are terrestrial (live on land near moist places)
• Epiphytic
• Epizoic
➢ Nature
• Free living
• Symbiotic Lichens
.
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GENERAL CHRACTERISTICS
➢ Cell Wall diatoms
Algae usually have a rigid cell wall made of an
inner layer of cellulose and an outer layer of pectin.
➢ Reproduction
• Vegetative reproduction fragmentation cell
division
• Asexual motile and non motile spore
• Sexual fusion of gametes
➢ Life Cycle
• Alternation of generations
• Haploid kelp
• Diploid
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GENERAL CHRACTERISTICS
➢ Photosynthetic activity
Phytoplankton account for nearly
70% of all photosynthetic activity
on earth.
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Giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera)
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Diversity of Algae
➢ Diatoms
➢ Dinoflagellates
➢ Red Algae
➢ Kelps or Brown Algae
➢ Green algae
Algae
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Diatoms
➢ Diatoms are characterized by being
unicellular with a silica shell ( frustule).
➢ Pastures of the sea.
➢ Diatomaceous earth is a powdery
substance made from the fossilized
remains of single-celled algae known as a
diatom….
➢ Disinfect, get rid of pests, and even use by
companies to filter everything from pool
water, toothpaste, and metal polish.
Diatoms
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Dinoflagellates
➢ Some types live in fresh water, most
abundant in the ocean.
➢ Many dinoflagellates are bioluminescent,
producing blue-green light.
➢ Zooxanthellae live within the tissue of
corals, and other protists where the algae
provide photosynthetic nutrients.
➢ When warm water is rich in nutrients, a
dinoflagellates explosion may occur…….
“red tide.”
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Phylum Chlorophyta
➢ Green algae, a large and diverse group of
spp.
➢ 7000 diverse species.
➢ Green algae give rise to land plants.
➢ Both green algae and land plants have Chlamydomonas
chlorophyll a and b and carotenoids and store
food as starch.
➢ Both have walls made of cellulose.
Volvox 12
Phylum Chlorophyta
Volvox
➢ Some green algae, such as Spirogyra
form a thin filamentous chain of cells.
➢ Ulva is multicellular, Chlamydomonas
is unicellular and Volvox is colonial.
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Phylum Phaeophyta Sargassum
➢ 1500 species of Brown algae.
➢ Mostly marine and include seaweed and
kelp.
➢ All are multicellular and large.
➢ Individual alga may grow to a length of
100m with a holdfast, stipe, and blade.
➢ Kelp forms undersea forests that provide
food, shelter, and breeding areas for marine
animals.
➢ Used in cosmetics, ice creams, and sushi.
Sushi
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Phylum Rhodophyta
➢ 4000 species of RED Algae.
➢ Unicellular to complex multicellular form.
➢ Smaller than brown algae and are often found at
a depth of 200 meters.
➢ Contains chlorophyll a and b as well as
Phycobilins.
➢ Red algae deposit calcium carbonate which
forms limestone coral reefs….
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Phylum Rhodophyta
Red algae
➢ Red algae contains phycoerythrin
which belongs to the family of
pigments known as Phycobilins. Most
abundant in warm coastal and tropical
oceans but some are found in
freshwater.
➢ Carrageenan is used in cosmetics,
gelatin, paint, cheeses, ice cream, and
agar.
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Importance of Algae
Food web
➢ They are the base of the aquatic food
chain – photosynthetic organisms.
➢ Lichens: algae and fungi symbiosis.
➢ Also serve as shelters.
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Importance of Algae
➢ Antibiotics: Chlorella and Caulerpa are used for extracting
antibiotics.
➢ Sewage disposal: Chlorella and Chlamydomonas are used in
the sewage ponds.
➢ Space flight: Chlorella is used in prolonged space flights for
oxygen production, and CO2 utilization.
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Commercial uses of algae
➢ Algin a thickening agent for food
processing (brown algae)
➢ Carrageenan – foods, puddings,
ice cream, toothpaste (red algae)
➢ Iodine (brown algae)
➢ Agar – for growth media
used in research (red algae)
➢ As food – red and brown algae
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Role of Algae in Agriculture
• Algae are a large and diverse group of lower plants, including
distantly related groups of micro-organisms that can perform
photosynthesis.
• Algae range from large complex marine forms called seaweed
to minute unicellular picoplankton.
• Algae play an important role in agriculture and are used as
biofertilizers and soil stabilizers.
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Reducing Agricultural Runoff
➢The utilization of algae, specifically
seaweeds, as fertilizers has been shown to
decrease nitrogen and phosphorus runoff,
thereby improving water quality.
Compared to livestock manure, this
alternative fertilizer reduces environmental
pollution, leading to cleaner rivers and
oceans.
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Fertilizer
Walter Mulbry in May 2010 conducted a
study of corn and cucumber seedlings grown
in commercial fertilizer and seedlings grown
in potting mixes containing algae.
Research revealed that seedlings cultivated
with algae-based mixes exhibited superior
growth and development compared to those
treated with commercial fertilizers
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Food
Seaweed's versatility extends far
beyond sushi wraps. It's also the
key ingredient in bird's nest soup,
Additionally, various seaweed-
derived products are ubiquitous in
food industries:- Carrageenan (red
seaweed): a thickening agent in
puddings, chocolate milk, chewing
gum, jams, and jellies.-
Algin/Alginates (brown seaweed):
essential in bakery products,
candies, dairy products, salad
dressings, ice creams, creams, and
jellies. Agar (red seaweed): vital in
food processing, particularly for
meats, sausages, and fish.
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Pharmaceuticals
Carrageenan and algins are used
in pharmaceuticals as binders,
stabilizers, emulsifiers, and for
creating molds. The dental
industry also uses them in
molding preparations. Alginates
provide a controlled release to
oral solid medications, gastric
reflux control, and thickening
and stabilization to oral liquids
such as cough medicine as well
as being used in wound care.
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Science
For over a century, agar—
extracted from red algae—
played a vital role in
bacteriological research (Lobban,
"The Biology of Seaweeds"). By
providing a solid medium in Petri
dishes and test tubes, agar
enables scientists to isolate,
culture, and study bacteria in
detail."
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Cosmetics
Seaweed's therapeutic properties make it a popular
ingredient in various personal care products:-
Bath treatments: Milled seaweed is added to water
for skin rejuvenation.-
Skincare: Crushed seaweed or seaweed paste is
used in facial masks, body gels, creams, and
shampoos
Oral care: carrageenans are found in toothpaste.
Haircare: Carrageenans and alginates are used in
shampoos, hair conditioners, and styling products.-
Carrageenans are added to shaving creams and skin
cleaners.
Cosmetics: Alginates are commonly used in
numerous beauty products.
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Industrial Products
Algins are used in many products,
including paints, pigments, dyes,
and other finishes. They are used
in fiber manufactures such as
paper, cardboard, filters, and
Charcoal briquettes
textiles. Charcoal briquettes are
bound together with them. Algins
are present in explosives,
pesticides, and fire retardants,
including fire extinguishers.
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Importance of Algae
Annual productivity of Oil per liter per hectare (Demirbas &
Demirbas).
➢ Soybeans . . . .450
➢ Sunflower . . . 102
➢ Canola…... . . 1200
➢ Oil Palm . . . . 6000
➢ Algae . …… 90000
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Harmful algae
➢ Alga Bloom: Excessive growth of
Chlorella and Chlamydomonas
causes algal bloom.
➢ Can be toxic to animals.
➢ “Red tides” caused by
dinoflagellates.
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Thank You
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