Chlorophyceae or Green Algae - Practice Questions & MCQ

Chlorophyceae/ Green Algae:

• These are commonly called green algae because they are green in colour. 
• These usually live in freshwater bodies. Some are found in brackish and marine waters.
• The green colouration is due to the presence of photosynthetic pigments  Chlorophyll a and Chlorophyll b are present in chloroplasts. Carotenoids are also present in them. 
• Chloroplasts may be discoid, reticulate, ribbon-like, star-like, cup-shaped etc.
• Each chloroplast has either one or more than one starch storing protein bodied called pyrenoids.
• Reserve food material is stored in the form of oil or starch.
• The cell wall has inner cellulose and outer pectin layers.
• Vegetative reproduction occurs by fragmentation or fission.
• Asexual reproduction occurs by the formation (Spirogyra - has non-motile isogamous gametes). In some, it takes place by Anisogamy and in others by Oogamy (Volvox)
• Ex: Chlamydomonas, Volvox, Spirogyra, Ulothrix, Chara

 Economic importance of algae:

• Codium and Ulva are used as salad or vegetables.
• Chlorella is used by exobiologists for food, oxygen and disposal of CO₂ in space flight.
• Cephaleuros causes red rust or tea disease.