Green algae are a diverse group of mostly aquatic, photosynthetic organisms that contain chlorophyll a and b, giving them their distinct bright green color. They are broadly classified within the clades Chlorophyta and Charophyta, and together with land plants, form the larger grouping called Viridiplantae or “green plants”. Green algae can exist as single cells, colonies, long filaments, or large multicellular seaweeds. Their cell walls typically contain cellulose, and they store carbohydrates as starch.[1][2][3]
Key features of green algae:
- Habitat: Found in freshwater, marine, and terrestrial environments. Most species prefer freshwater, but some inhabit brackish and marine waters, or even soil.[4][2]
- Structure: Include unicellular, colonial, filamentous, and multicellular (macroscopic) forms. Many species have flagella for movement in at least one stage of their life cycle.[2][1]
- Ecological role: They are vital in aquatic ecosystems, producing oxygen and forming the base of food webs. Green algae also provide food and shelter for many aquatic organisms.[4][2]
- Evolutionary significance: Land plants evolved from green algal ancestors, specifically from the Charophyta subgroup.[1][2]
Green algae are generally regarded as beneficial; however, under nutrient-rich conditions, they can bloom excessively, sometimes forming dense mats on water surfaces. Such blooms can disrupt aquatic environments and human activities, though green algal blooms are usually less toxic than those caused by blue-green algae (cyanobacteria).[4]
A micrograph shows green algae undergoing conjugation.
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- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_algae
- https://www.britannica.com/science/green-algae
- https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Botany/A_Photographic_Atlas_for_Botany_(Morrow)/04:_Protists/4.06:_Green_Algae
- https://www.deq.nc.gov/water-quality/environmental-sciences/fishkill/algae/green-algae/download
- https://biologywise.com/green-algae-facts
- https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/greenalgae/greenalgae.html
- https://novascotia.ca/blue-green-algae/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/green-alga
- http://www.ontario.ca/page/blue-green-algae
- https://www.cdc.gov/harmful-algal-blooms/about/index.html
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