Algae

Phycology, generally referred as algology, is the study of algae, a diverse group of mostly aquatic plants that range in size from microscopic forms to shrubs or trees. The word phycology comes from the Greek word phykos, which literally means “seaweed.” They are the major producers in the food chain …

Here, the Protista kingdom of Eukarya domain have been shortly introduced at first to get an idea over general characteristics of one of Protista’s members, the marine flora (mainly algae and seaweeds). (To know about domains of life, click here: Three Domain System.) Domain Eukarya Coming from the Greek words …

The reproduction of algae can be discussed under two types, namely asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction. The former type refers to reproduction in which a new organism is generated from a single parent. In case of the sexual type, two haploid sex cells are fused to form a diploid zygote …

Pasturage of the Sea The vast ocean water is about 99%, of which usually up to 200 m depth or beyond (up to 300 m, depending on the latitudes, seasons, and water transparency) phytoplankton grow constituting “pasturage of the sea”.  Their photosynthetic activity contributes about 80% oxygen in the atmosphere …

The word ‘plankton’ has been derived from a Gr. word ‘planktos’ means drifting. So, plankton is those microscopic aquatic organisms or drifters whose movement is mainly driven by water currents, waves, tides, etc. Plankton can be two types- zooplankton, and phytoplankton. Although, some of them might possess some kinds of …

Marine Botany is the study of aquatic plants and algae that live in oceans, seas, intertidal zones and even in brackish water (more saline than freshwater but less saline than true marine environments) of estuarine zones. It is a combined branch of marine biology and botany. According to Wikipedia, Marine …

The cultivation of nori started about 300 yrs ago around the coast of Tokyo Bay and developed gradually in many localities Bundles of twigs of trees such as oaks, cherry, etc. were set in rows on the ground as the collectors, to which nori spores attach themselves and grow. In …

Of the global seaweed harvest, 85% – 95% goes to the food industry and is worth approx €4.1 billion per annum (p.a.). The most valuable crop produced by seaweed aquaculture is Nori – Porphyra – a red seaweed or alga. The value of this crop is around US$ 2 billion …

Algal toxins are toxic substances released by some types of algae when they are present in large quantities (Blooms) and decay or degrade. These toxins are called ‘Phycotoxins’ (from Greek, phykos, “seaweed”; and toxikon, “toxin”). They are usually complex allelopathic metabolites produced by algal secondary metabolic pathways. These metabolites are (in most cases) not harmful to …

When we think of animals and plants, we have a pretty good way of dividing them into two distinct groups: one converts sunlight into energy and the other has to eat food to make its energy. Well, those dividing lines come crashing down with the discovery of a sea slug …