Because the algae have different method prior to their reproduction, they are no longer classified as plants. Algae can be described or named as numerous, eukaryotic and micro or macroscopic and plantlike organisms. They have a body called as thalus and they come from different types namely; unicellular, colonial, and filamentous or thalloid.
The unicellular types of the algae are beneficial in different kinds of aquatic organisms as this algae serves as their food. This kind of algae usually forms in water surfaces and are called as phytoplankton, they also produce a large amount of oxygen.
The colonial types of algae have the characteristics of moving and functioning as a unit. Every members of these algae have their own specific functions in the group a they have the division of labors for every members.
The filamentous types of algae usually arrange in a linear formations and because of their special structure, they have the capability to anchor in the bottom of the ocean floor.
The thalloid types of algae are what are known as the seaweeds. The seaweeds have the natural characteristic or capability in dividing into many directions thus, they create a multi-cellular form.
Algae provide with certain commercial significance such as the phytoplankton that serves as food source for fishes and other aquatic organisms. Algae are also responsible in producing large supply of oxygen in our environment. The desmids, another form of algae give us the information about the level or the degree of pollution in a particular fresh water body as their presence in the water indicates pollution.
An alginic acid is also produced by the brown algae, alginic acids are good source of polysaccharides called as alginates, and this is used to make gels as foods. Another polysaccharides called as carrageenan are also found on the algae’s cell walls. Carrageenans are often used in producing different products such as cosmetics, gelatin capsules as well as cheese.
In the cell wall of the coralline algae are calcium carbonates which are considered as one of the component of the formations of coral reefs. Silicon Dioxide can also be found in the cell wall of the golden brown algae also called diatoms. Eventually the diatoms will not decompose when they die. Diatoms sink in the ocean floor and will eventually form the layer called as diatomaceous earth, a remain which can be used to produced fertilizers, detergents, paint removers and other valuable commercial products.