Multicellular Primary Producers Seaweeds and Grass Ch. 6
Jan 17, 2016
Multicellular Primary ProducersSeaweeds and GrassCh. 6
StructureThallus:Complete bodyBlades:Leaf-like portionsPneumatocyst:Gas-filled bladdersWhats the importance of these?StipeStemlike structure, supportHoldfast: Attaches the thallus to the bottom
Types of Seaweed: Green Algae10% of the 7,000 species of green algae are marineIt is thought that land plants evolved from green algaeSimilar pigments and food reserveCommon on rocky shores and tidepools
Galapagos Iguana
Iguanas, Green Algae, and Sea Lions?
Brown AlgaeDead Mans FingersRockweedColor varies from olive to dark greenThere are yellow-brown pigments, in addition to chlorophyllOften exposed on low tides
More Brown Alage: The Kelps
Bull KelpNereocystisUp to 100 ft longLarge pneumatocyst at upper endFilled with mixture of gasses, including CO2
Giant KelpMacrocystisLargest kelpup to 330 ft!Can grow 20 inches in one day!
Giant Kelp
Life in the Kelp Forest
Red AlgaeMore species of red algae than green and brown combinedShallow water, marine environmentsChlorophyll masked by red pigment (phycobilins)Coralline algae shown with gooseneck barnacles
Economic Importance of Kelp and Other SeaweedsYou tell me . . .
Blades are not technically leaves b/c they have no veins
Pneumatocysts keep blades close to surface maximizing exposure to sunlight*