What’s importance of algae play an important role in nature due to both beneficial and harmful properties. Algae provide most of Earth’s oxygen,
serve as the food base for nearly all aquatic life, and provide food and industrial products, including petroleum products.
Their photosynthetic pigments are more diverse than those of plants, and their cells have properties not found in plants and animals.
There are approximately 8000 species of red algae, most of which are of marine origin. What’s importance of algae.
They are found intertidal and subtidal to depths of 40 or occasionally 250 m. Compared to other algal classes, red algae are considered to be
the most important source of many biologically active metabolites. Microalgae can be used either as pure extract or as crude algal compost to
enhance seed germination and crop productivity at various levels, improving soil. Green algae are an important food source for aquatic organisms
They are an essential source of starch, which they produce through photosynthesis. They form a symbiotic relationship with other organisms.
Algae are at the base of the aquatic food chain, creating an adapted food resource for fish to consume. People use blue-green algae to treat
high blood pressure and as a protein supplement. It is also used for high levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood, diabetes, obesity, and many other conditions.
Beneficial Roles of Algae as Producers
What’s importance of algae. Algae act as major producers in the food cycle of water bodies.
Oxygen Supply
Many years ago there was no oxygen in the atmosphere. Blue-green algae were the first to start photosynthesis,
and millions of years of photosynthesis led to the accumulation of oxygen in the atmosphere to the present stage.
As Human Food
Since ancient times, different species of algae such as chondrus crispus,
ulva lactuca have been consumed by humans as food. Chlorella is a vitamin-rich algae in the human diet.
As Fodder
Rhodymenia, alaria, laminaria saccharina, ascopyllum, praviti algae are used as fodder in various European countries.
As Poultry Feed
Kelp obtained by burning seaweeds like Laminaria, Sargassum etc. is used as poultry feed.
As Organic Fertilizers
Oscillatoria, Scytonema, Spirulina seaweeds have been
used as a source of potash fertilizers in Europe and Asia since ancient times.
In Fish Farming
What’s importance of algae and Several species of algae are used as food in many species of fish farming, especially in tilapia farming.
In Industry
Widely used in industry. Kelp, derived from seaweed, is used to make glass and soap. Algin from brown algae and gelatin
from red algae are used to make Gelidium jellies, ice creams, shampoos, staples, paints and varnishes. Agar obtained from and Gracilaria is widely
used in rayon and paper industry, photography industry and soap industry.
In The Preparation of Medicine
Sargassum and Laminaria algae are used in the treatment of goiter and Chlorella in the preparation of antibiotics.
Environmental Pollution Prevention
Marine algae absorb large amount of Co2 from the environment through photosynthesis and release O2 to the environment. 60% of total photosynthesis takes place in algae.
Biofuels
Currently, to meet the demand for fuel, algae are playing a special role in the production of biofuels.
Algae is called second generation biofuel. Chlorella is being used in Botryococcus braunii, Scenedesmus is also being tried.
Location of Detective Submarine
What’s importance of algae is Pycobilin protein located in blue-green algae can absorb additional pigment particles (C-phycoerythrin, C-phycocyanin)
outside of visible light. They absorb the various rays emitted from underwater spy submarines.
And from the amount of this absorbed beam, the location of the spy submarine is known in the vicinity.
Novojan
Uses a type of algae called Chlorella to purify polluted air containing carbon dioxide.
Diatomaceous Earth
Fossil rich diatomaceous earth is used in making water filters and lining of boilers and blast furnaces.
Besides, this clay is used as metal polish and tooth paste. Diatomaceous earth was used to make dynamite.
Determination of Soil Age
The age of the soil is determined by carbon dating of the diatom shells deposited in the soil store at the bottom of the reservoir.
Determining The Location of Fish in The Sea
Sometimes there are many fish in the shallow areas of the sea. Humans can locate those areas easily through satellites.
Harmful Roles of Algae
Some of the harmful roles of algae are mentioned below.
What’s Importance of Algae And Plant Diseases
Algae called Cephaleuros virescens causes disease in tea, coffee etc. plants and reduces their yield.
Cause Disease in Fish
Some algae cause gill disease in fish. For example, Oedogonium.
Formation of Water Bloom
When the amount of nutrients in the water body increases, many species of blue green algae grow in excess in ponds, lakes and artificial water bodies.
These water bodies also contain a large amount of bacteria which pollutes the water and the water emits foul odors. Drinking these poisonous water can lead to death of the organism.
It is called water bloom or algal bloom. Microcystis, nostoc, Ocillatoria etc. are water bloom producing algae.
Toxin Production
Many algae such as Gymnodinium, Microcystis etc. produce toxins harmful to fish, as a result of which fish die and cattle and other
animals also get sick after drinking this water. The algae Gonyaulax produces a toxin that accumulates in fish and causes paralysis in humans.
Roads are Slippery
Many times a lot of blue green grows on narrow roads, ponds or bathroom floors. The mucilage (slippery) coating on these algae causes problems by making roads slippery.
Damage to The Structure
Overgrowth of algae on the walls causes damage to the structure Reproduction of algae. There are three types of reproductive system in cybals, sexual and asexual.
Organism Spore or Gamete
The reproductive process in which a new organism is formed from the body parts of an organism without creation is called organogenesis.
It is organized in algae in the following different ways.
What’s Importance of Algae By Cell Division
In unicellular algae, reproduction is usually done by cell division. The daughter cells that are formed through the division of
the mother cell can grow and become new plants such as: Euglena, Diatom etc. By fragmentation, when the body of asexual primary algae and colonial
algae is divided into two or more segments, each segment becomes an independent plant. Namely: Ulothrix, Oedogonium.
Through Harmonium
Myxophyceae Algae trichome is divided into two or more parts and each part produces a harmonium. Each harmononium grows into a new plant.
For example: Oscillatoria, Nostoc, Westiella, etc. When harmonium is covered with thick wall in unfavorable environment it is called hormcyst.
Through Tuber
The organ called tuber is formed in the rhizoid region of any plant. These tubers give birth to new plants eg Chara.
Buds
Some algae form a new complete algal body by budding. Example Protosiphon.
What’s Importance of Algae For Azoan Reproduction
The process of reproduction achieved by the formation of different types of spores or renu is called azoan reproduction.
A spore is the unit of azoan reproduction in which the spores are produced in a special structure or sac called a sporangium.
The process of spore production within a sporangium is called sporulation. Spores are usually haploid (n) but can also be diploid (2n).
Spores germinate to form algal haploid thallus and progeny. If the spore is flagellated and motile, it is called a zoospore, such as Ulothrix.
If a single zoospore with many flagella is produced, it is called synzoospore. A stationary spore without flagella is called aplanospore, such as: Microspora.
If the aplanospore is surrounded by a thick wall in unfavorable environment, it is called hypnospore, such as: chlamydomonas.
Non-motile spores with similar characteristics are called autospores eg: Chlorella. When the entire protoplast of an algal cell stores food and is surrounded by a complete wall,
it is called an akinity. In favorable environment, the acinia germinates into new algae, eg: Pithophora, Cladophora.
Diatoms multiply by producing special type of spores called oxspores, eg: Navicula.
Sexual Reproduction
The reproduction that takes place as a result of the union of two opposite gametes is called sexual reproduction. One of the two gametes for sexual intercourse is
called male gamete and the other female gamete. Gametes are produced in the special genitalia called gametangium.
Gamete is termed as the unit of sexual reproduction Gamete is haploid (n) in nature. The genitalia of algae are in most cases simple and unicellular,
and there is no external sterile covering. All algae except blue-green algae reproduce sexually. However, gene recombination is known to occur in blue-green
algae as well as in bacteria. The method of sexual reproduction of algae is mentioned below. Isogamy The union of two gametes similar in size and nature is called isogamy.
This is a simple and immature process of sexual reproduction where one gamete is +(male) and the other is called -(female) gamete.
This process is more common in immature algae like: Chlamydomonas, Ulothrix, Spirogyra etc.
Anisogamy
The union of two viable gametes differing in size and nature is called anisogamy. In this case the smaller and more activegamete is called male gamete and
the larger gamete is called female gamete like: Coulerpa, Chamydomonas, Pandorina etc.
What’s Importance of Algae Ugami
The process of union of a large motile (egg) with a small and simple motile pungamete (sperm) is called Ugami. In this case the sperm is produced in
the asteridium and the egg is produced in the ugonium. Ugyami is the most advanced type of sexual reproduction and is more
common in advanced algae such as Volvox, Oedeogonium, Chara, Polysiphonia, Fucus etc.
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