Green Algage – The green algae are a diverse group of eukaryotic organisms

classified in the phylum Chlorophyta. They are considered eukaryotic because

individual cells possess a prominent structural feature known as a nucleus, which
houses the chemicals responsible for heredity and metabolic regulation.

Green algae are found in moist soils and fresh-water and saltwater habitats; most are
believed to be freshwater-dwelling. The phylum consists of at least eight thousand
species. Some estimates place this number at seventeen thousand species. Several
shared characteristics support the hypothesis that these organisms and terrestrial plants
derived from a common ancestor.

General Characteristics

The green algae, or chlorophytes, may be unicellular, multicellular, colonial, or

filamentous. Multicellular forms may demonstrate some tissue differentiation but not to
the complexity displayed by terrestrial plants. Colonial algae tend to cluster in a pattern
resembling a hollow sphere or disc. Some filamentous forms are coenocytic, meaning
they have lost a portion or all of their cross walls.

Cellulose - The cell walls consist of cellulose. There are usually two layers
of cellulose fortified by pectin. Some unicellular forms have a lorica (thin wall or cuticle),
which is separated from the protoplast by a gelatinous matrix or water.

Phylum Chlorophyta - The phylum Chlorophyta is named for the prominent

green chloroplast, a cell structurecontaining pigments that carry out photosynthesis,
similar to that found in higher plants.

Chloroplasts - The chloroplasts are green because the accessory pigments, which
include xanthophylls and various carotenoids, do not mask the chlorophylls, the
principal photosynthetic pigments, present.

Chlorophylls a and b - All classes contain chlorophylls a and b. Chlorophyll c has been
found in a few species of the class Prasinophyceae. The chloroplasts are double-
membraned structures with thylakoids (membranous folds) stacked in groups of from
two to six.

Starch -The storage carbohydrate is starch. Starch grains can be found clustered
around pyrenoids (protein bodies), if they are present. However, they are found
generally scattered throughout the fluid portion of the chloroplast.

Chlorophytes - Chlorophytes possess either two or four flagella (whiplike appendages

for motility) at least once during their life cycle, although some forms have a single
flagellum. In addition to providing motility, flagella may play a key role in the sexual
process for some unicellular forms.
GENERAL IMPORTANCE

Commercially important - Green algae are commercially important as feed and as a

source of many industrial products, biofuels, food and pharmaceutical chemicals.

Ecologically Important
 Food Source
 Contribute to coral reef formation
 As primary producers, green algae are important components of marine, freshwater and
terrestrial ecosystems
 Green algae are important model organisms
 Green Algae are important symbionts with fungi, bacteria, animals and plants.