Microbiology - Outcome 2 - Algae

Question 1

what are algae?

Answer 1

unicellular eukaryotes

Question 2

what are algae in terms of carbon?

Answer 2

autotrophs
- photosynthesise

Question 3

what are algal cell walls made from?

Answer 3

cellulose

Question 4

what is the green pigment in chloroplasts called and what does it do?

Answer 4

• chlorophyll
• absorbs energy from sunlight

Question 5

what is an eyespot used for?

Answer 5

light detection

Question 6

how do algae reproduce?

Answer 6

asexually and sexually

Question 7

how do algae reproduce asexually?

Answer 7

• binary fission
• produces protoplasts (membrane bound organelles without cell wall)
• mature algae is produced from parental cell
• new cells are genetically identical

Question 8

how do algae reproduce sexually?

Answer 8

• two cells act as gametes and fuse together
• meiosis occurs
• 4 new cells are produced that are genetically varied

Question 9

what are algae in regards to pH?

Answer 9

neutrophile

Question 10

what are algae in regards to temperature?

Answer 10

mesophiles

Question 11

what are algae in regards to oxygen?

Answer 11

obligate aerobes

Question 12

how do algae use carbon?

Answer 12

they need light to incorporate carbon dioxide into sugars by photosynthesis

Question 13

what are green algae called?

Answer 13

photoautotrophs

Question 14

what is an indirect effect of algae?

Answer 14

algal bloom
- overgrowth of the algal population

Question 15

state a beneficial effect of algae

Answer 15

• oxygen producers
• 73-87% of net global production of oxygen