Plant-like ProtistsUnicellular Algae

Characteristics Photosynthetic Mostly unicellular

Single-celled (euglenoids, dinoflagellated, diatoms)

Multicellular algae (red and brown) under Plantae Both uni and multicellular- green algae

Characteristics Mostly motile (phytoflagellates) Classification based on their pigments and

internal chemistry; structure Thrive in water and damp places Sometimes classified as plants

Taxonomy Phylum Euglenophyta Phylum Pyrrophyta Phylum Bacillariophyta

Phylum Euglenophyta

Phylum Euglenophyta Euglenophytes/euglenoids Closely resemble

zooflagellates (but have chloroplasts)

autotrophic Animal-like movement- no

cell wall Pellicle- maintains cell shape,

aids in movement

Euglena A long cell with a pouch that contains two

flagella at its interior end for swimming can rapidly change shape and crawl along a surface

Red eyespot (photosensitive) 10-20 chloroplasts Autotrophic but also heterotrophic (saprobic) Reproduces asexually through binary fission

Phylum Pyrrophyta

Phylum Pyrrophyta Dinoflagellates Mostly photosynthetic Possess 2 flagella (one is like a belt, other like a

tail) Many are surrounded by thick plates Many are luminescent – fire plants Reproduce asexually by binary fission DNA w/o histones (only eukaryote)

Pyrodinium bahanse var. compresa

Phylum Bacillariophyta

Phylum Bacillariophyta Diatoms Yellow or brown in color Cell wall enriched w/ silica (SiO3)- shaped like

two sides of a petri dish Many are capable of gliding motion Food reserves in the form of oil Reproduce asexually, can form cysts (resistant

stage); sexual reproduction is uncommone

Freshwater and marine (phytoplankton) Diatomaceous earth (soil made of diatoms)

Phylum Chrysophyta

Phylum Chrysophyta Golden algae (yellow green, golden-brown) Possess gold-green chloroplasts (xanthophyll) Extemely diverse Mostly solitary, some can form thread-like

colonies Cell wall made of pectin Store food in the form of oil Reproduce both sexually and asexually

Multicellular AlgaeChlorophyta

Phaeophyta

Rhodophyta

Phylum Chlorophyta

Unicellular Green Algae

Colonial Green Algae

Filamentous Green Algae

Multicellular Green Algae

Phylum Phaeophyta

Phylum RhodophytaPhylum Rhodophyta