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What are Algae: Biological and economic importance of
algae;
Characteristics of algae….?
By;
Mehwish Manzoor

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WHAT ARE ALGAE?
The term "algae" covers many differentorganisms capable of producing
oxygen through photosynthesis. Algae exist in environments ranging from
oceans, rivers, and lakes to ponds,brackish waters, and even snow. Algae
are usually green, but they can be found in a variety of differentcolours.
For instance, algae living in snow contain carotenoid pigments in addition
to chlorophyll, hence giving the surrounding snow a distinctive red hue.
“Alga is a term that describes a large and incredibly diverse group of
eukaryotic, photosynthetic lifeforms. These organisms do not share a
common ancestor and hence, are not related to each other (polyphyletic).”

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Most algae require a moist or watery environment; hence, they are
ubiquitous near or inside water bodies.Anatomically, they are similar to
another major group of photosynthetic organisms – the land plants.
However, that is where the differences end as algae lack many structural
components typically presentin plants, such as true stems,shoots,and
leaves. Furthermore, they also do not have vascular tissues to circulate
essential nutrients and water throughout their body.
Multicellular examples of algae include the giant kelp and brown algae.
Unicellular examples include diatoms, Euglenophyta, and Dinoflagellates
Characteristics of Algae
Specific generalcharacteristics of algae are commonto plants as well as
animals.
For instance, algae can photosynthesize like plants, and they possess
specialized structures and cell-organelles, like centrioles and flagella, found
only in animals. Listed below are some of the general characteristics of
algae.
 Algae are photosynthetic organisms
 Algae can be either unicellular or multicellular organisms
 Algae lack a well-defined body, so, structures like roots, stems or
leaves are absent
 Algaes are found where there is adequate moisture.

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 Reproductionin algae occurs in both asexual and sexual forms.
Asexual reproductionoccurs by spore formation.
 Algae are free-living, although some can form a symbiotic relationship
with other organisms.
 The majority of algae live in aquatic habitats.
 Algae are also able to survive on land. Some unexpected places
where they grow are tree trunks, animal fur, snow banks, hot springs
(according to "Algae") and in soil, including desert crusts
The Biological Importance of Algae
 Primary producers
 Algae as food
 Algae as fodder for cattle
 Algae as bio-fertilizers
 Algae in pisi culture
 Role in soil erosion
PRIMARY PRODUCERS
Algae are primary producersby using inorganic ions, CO2, water and
solar energy the complexorganic molecules are produced.Oxygen is
released in this process. Algae, cyanobacteria and plants indirectly
produce all food and all oxygen for all living organisms on our planet.

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ALGAE AS FOOD
Algae are commonall over the Earth. Algae are used in the food industry
as food supplements and an addition to functional food.Algae are also
added to meat products,such as pasty, steaks, frankfurters and sausages,
as well as to fish, fish products,and oils, to improve their quality. Cereal-
based products,such as pasta, flour and bread, are another group of
products enriched with algae. Fermented products containing algae are,
most of all, dairy products,such as cheese,cream, milk deserts,yoghurt,
cottage cheese,and processed cheese.
ALGAE AS FOODER FOR CATTLE
 Kelps (brown algae) are used as fodderforcattle & chopped for
sheep and chickens in Great Briten.
 Macrocysts speciesare food source of vitamins A & E
 Rhodymenia is used for Cattle Food in France.

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ALGAE AS BIO-FERTILIZERS
An Algae Biofertilizer is a natural, organicand renewable energy source.
They help retain essential nutrients and water in the soil which is required
for the propergrowth of the plants.
ALGAE IN PISI CULTURE
Various species of macroalgae and microalgae have been incorporated into fish
feed formulations to assess their nutritional value, and many have been shown
to be beneficial: Chlorella or Scenedesmus fed to Tilapia, Chlorella fed to
Korean rockfish. It has also been shown that larvae of some fishes benefit
greatly by direct ingestion of microalgae.
ROLE IN SOIL EROSION
The impact of soil erosion can be very significant not only in reducing soil
productivity but also in deteriorating water quality. Sedimentresulting from
soil erosion is a major water quality pollutant in Iowa’s surface water

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bodies.Increased levels ofnitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in surface
waters are also leading contributors to reduced water quality.
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF ALGAE
 Algae in Industry
 Antibiotics
 Sewagedisposal
 Research Material
 In spaceship
 Algae in medicine
 Algae in fertilizers
ALGAE IN INDUSTRY
The focus of today’s algae industry is on bringing the advances of
science and technologyfor the productionof algae products into the
marketplace.
ANTIBIOTICS
Algal Scientific is extracting beta glucan – a chain of simple sugars –
from algae foruse as an immune system supportand alternative
to antibiotics.CEO Geoff Horst says that the substance works by

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supporting the immune system via stimulating the growth of white blood
cells.
SEWAGE DISPOSAL
In wastewater treatment systems designedto remove nutrients, mainly
dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus,is becoming an important step
of treatment.Discharge of these nutrients into sensitive water bodies
leads to eutrophication by stimulating the growth of unwanted plants
such as algae and aquatic macrophytes.
RESEARCH MATERIAL
Algal Research is an international phycology journal covering all areas of
emerging technologies in algae biology, biomass production, cultivation,
harvesting, extraction, bioproducts, biorefinery, engineering, and
econometrics. Algae is defined to include cyanobacteria, microalgae,
macroalgae, and protists...
ALGAE IN MEDICINE
Algae is used as one of important medical source due to its antioxidant,
anticancer, antiviral properties.. Therapeutic properties of algae is used for
promotionof health . Edible algae are recognized as complete foods which
provides correctbalance of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and
minerals.