Green algae

Definition

Green algae are a group of photosynthetic eukaryotic organisms found primarily in freshwater and marine environments. They are important for their role in producing oxygen and forming the base of aquatic food webs.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Green algae contain chlorophylls a and b, which are also found in higher plants.
2. They store energy in the form of starch within their chloroplasts.
3. Green algae can be unicellular or multicellular, including forms like filaments and sheets.
4. They reproduce both sexually and asexually depending on environmental conditions.
5. Some green algae have symbiotic relationships with fungi to form lichens.

Review Questions

• What types of chlorophyll do green algae contain?
• How do green algae store energy?
• In what forms can green algae exist?

Related terms

Chloroplasts:

Organelles within cells where photosynthesis takes place.

Lichens: Symbiotic associations between fungi and photosynthetic organisms like green algae.

Photosynthesis:

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.