What is algae? What are the general characters of algae?

Algae (singular: alga) is a group of photosynthetic organisms which are mostly found to grow in aquatic conditions. Algae may  grow  in fresh water,  salt water or in moist areas. their body is very simple as the body of an alga usually can not be divided into roots, stem and leaves. More than 20,000 different species of algae have been identified till today.

                                                       Fig: Algae growing in water body.

General characters of algae:

1. Algae may be eukaryotic, unicellular or multicellular.

2. They are autotrophic due to the presence of chlorophyll.

3. Their cell wall is made up of cellulose.

4. Some members of algae are filamentous.

                                                            Fig:  Algae in moist place.


5. They can reproduce by means of fragmentation, asexual reproduction or sexual reproduction.

6. Some examples of  algae are: Chara, Chlorella, Ectocarpus, Chlamydomonas ect.