PODCAST OUTLINE: PHYLUM RHODOPHYTA A. B. Introduction number of species Features of the Rhodophyta 1. Photosynthetic pigments a.

Phycocyanin and phycoerythrin

b.

Why significant

2.

Sugar storage molecule

3.

Life cycle features

4.

Cell wall features a. Calcium carbonate

b.

Sulfated mucopolysaccharides

5.

Body forms

C.

Ecology of the Rhodophyta 1. 2. 3. 4. Ocean habitats Temperate species Freshwater species Components of reefs

D.

Evolutionary history 1. How viewed before 1960s

2.

How viewed between 1960s to 1990s

3.

Current view

E.

Economic uses 1. 2. 3. 4. Nori Carrageenan Agar Medicinals

Questions 1. What is the significance of phycocyanin and phycoerythrin to the red algae?

2. Explain how our views of red algae evolution have changed in the past fifty years.

3. What are nori and carrageenan, and why should anybody care about them.

4. Explain what is meant when somebody describes the red algae as being pseudoparenchymous.

5. How do members of the red algae store their sugars? How does that compare with the higher plants?

6. What is so special about the sperm of the red algae?

7. Describe three kinds of habitats likely to support the red algae.

8. How are sulfated mucopolysaccharides important to the biology of the red algae?

9. Are red algae of any medicinal importance? Explain.