12 Facts About Algae

Algae is an informal term for a large and diverse group of photosynthetic eukaryotic organisms.

Algae constitute a polyphyletic group since they do not include a common ancestor, and although their plastids seem to have a single origin, from cyanobacteria, they were acquired in different ways.

Algae have photosynthetic machinery ultimately derived from cyanobacteria that produce oxygen as a by-product of photosynthesis, unlike other photosynthetic bacteria such as purple and green sulfur bacteria.

Algae contain chloroplasts that are similar in structure to cyanobacteria.

Algae spread mainly by the dispersal of spores analogously to the dispersal of Plantae by seeds and spores.

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Algae are prominent in bodies of water, common in terrestrial environments, and are found in unusual environments, such as on snow and ice.

Algae can be used as indicator organisms to monitor pollution in various aquatic systems.

The third island in Kunming Lake beside the Summer Palace in Beijing is known as the Zaojian Tang Dao, which thus simultaneously means "Island of the Algae-Viewing Hall" and "Island of the Hall for Reflecting on Literary Talent".

Algae are national foods of many nations: China consumes more than 70 species, including fat choy, a cyanobacterium considered a vegetable; Japan, over 20 species such as nori and aonori; Ireland, dulse; Chile, cochayuyo.

Algae is being considered a potential solution for world hunger problem.

Algae have emerged in recent years as a popular source of omega-3 fatty acids for vegetarians who cannot get long-chain EPA and DHA from other vegetarian sources such as flaxseed oil, which only contains the short-chain alpha-linolenic acid .

Algae scrubbers, using bubbling upflow or vertical waterfall versions, are now being used to filter aquaria and ponds.