Definitions for algae
ˈæl dʒial·gae

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:3.3 / 3 votes

1. alga, algaenoun

   primitive chlorophyll-containing mainly aquatic eukaryotic organisms lacking true stems and roots and leaves

WiktionaryRate this definition:3.0 / 2 votes

1. algaenoun

   Plural form of alga.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Algae

   Algae (; singular alga ) is an informal term for a large and diverse group of photosynthetic eukaryotic organisms. It is a polyphyletic grouping that includes species from multiple distinct clades. Included organisms range from unicellular microalgae, such as Chlorella, Prototheca and the diatoms, to multicellular forms, such as the giant kelp, a large brown alga which may grow up to 50 metres (160 ft) in length. Most are aquatic and autotrophic (they generate food internally) and lack many of the distinct cell and tissue types, such as stomata, xylem and phloem that are found in land plants. The largest and most complex marine algae are called seaweeds, while the most complex freshwater forms are the Charophyta, a division of green algae which includes, for example, Spirogyra and stoneworts. No definition of algae is generally accepted. One definition is that algae "have chlorophyll a as their primary photosynthetic pigment and lack a sterile covering of cells around their reproductive cells". Likewise, the colorless Prototheca under Chlorophyta are all devoid of any chlorophyll. Although cyanobacteria are often referred to as "blue-green algae", most authorities exclude all prokaryotes from the definition of algae.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. Green algae are examples of algae that have primary chloroplasts derived from endosymbiotic cyanobacteria. Diatoms and brown algae are examples of algae with secondary chloroplasts derived from an endosymbiotic red alga. Algae exhibit a wide range of reproductive strategies, from simple asexual cell division to complex forms of sexual reproduction.Algae lack the various structures that characterize land plants, such as the phyllids (leaf-like structures) of bryophytes, rhizoids of non-vascular plants, and the roots, leaves, and other organs found in tracheophytes (vascular plants). Most are phototrophic, although some are mixotrophic, deriving energy both from photosynthesis and uptake of organic carbon either by osmotrophy, myzotrophy, or phagotrophy. Some unicellular species of green algae, many golden algae, euglenids, dinoflagellates, and other algae have become heterotrophs (also called colorless or apochlorotic algae), sometimes parasitic, relying entirely on external energy sources and have limited or no photosynthetic apparatus. Some other heterotrophic organisms, such as the apicomplexans, are also derived from cells whose ancestors possessed plastids, but are not traditionally considered as algae. 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. Fossilized filamentous algae from the Vindhya basin have been dated back to 1.6 to 1.7 billion years ago.Because of the wide range of types of algae, they have increasing different industrial and traditional applications in human society. Traditional seaweed farming practices have existed for thousands of years and have strong traditions in East Asia food cultures. More modern algaculture applications extend the food traditions for other applications include cattle feed, using algae for bioremediation or pollution control, transforming sunlight into algae fuels or other chemicals used in industrial processes, and in medical and scientific applications. A 2020 review found that these applications of algae could play an important role in carbon sequestration in order to mitigate climate change while providing valuable value-add products for global economies.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. algae

   Algae is a diverse group of aquatic organisms that have the ability to conduct photosynthesis. They range from single-celled organisms to large multicellular forms, like seaweed. Though they lack roots, stems, and leaves, they contain chlorophyll, which gives them their green color and enables them to convert sunlight into energy. Algae plays a significant role in the ecosystem by producing oxygen and serving as a food source for various marine species. They are found in various habitats, including freshwater and marine environments.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:4.5 / 2 votes

1. Algae

   of Alga

WikidataRate this definition:2.0 / 1 vote

1. Algae

   Algae are a very large and diverse group of simple, typically autotrophic organisms, ranging from unicellular to multicellular forms, such as the giant kelps that grow to 65 meters in length. Most are photosynthetic and "simple" because they lack the many distinct cell and organ types found in land plants. The largest and most complex marine forms are called seaweeds. Though the prokaryotic cyanobacteria are informally referred to as blue-green algae, this usage is incorrect since they are regarded as bacteria. The term algae is now restricted to eukaryotic organisms. All true algae therefore have a nucleus enclosed within a membrane and plastids bound in one or more membranes. Algae constitute a polyphyletic group since they do not include a common ancestor, although their plastids seem to have a single origin. Diatoms are also examples of algae. Algae exhibit a wide range of reproductive strategies, from simple, asexual cell division to complex forms of sexual reproduction. Algae lack the various structures that characterize land plants, such as the leaf-like phyllids of bryophytes, rhizoids in nonvascular plants, and the roots, leaves, and other organs that are found in tracheophytes. Many are phototrophic, although some groups contain members that are mixotrophic, deriving energy both from photosynthesis and uptake of organic carbon either by osmotrophy, myzotrophy, or phagotrophy. Some unicellular species rely entirely on external energy sources and have limited or no photosynthetic apparatus.

U.S. National Library of MedicineRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Algae

   A major group of polyphyletic organisms of extremely varied morphology and physiology, mostly photosynthetic, but distinguished from plants by their complex form of sexual reproduction. They are freshwater and marine, terrestrial and subterranean; some are neustonic (living at the interface of water and the atmosphere). They live in various protozoa and within other plants. They live also in soil and on soil surfaces, on long-persistent snows, and in Antarctic rocks. Thermophilic algae inhabit hot springs. (From Webster, 3d ed; from Bold & Wynne, Introduction to the Algae, 2d ed, pp1-6)

Matched Categories

1. • Protoctist

Anagrams for algae »

1. galea

How to pronounce algae?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say algae in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of algae in Chaldean Numerology is: 4

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of algae in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

Examples of algae in a Sentence

1. Bradley Opdike:

   What happens with the sediment is it just smothers it, while higher nutrients cause algae to out-compete the corals.

2. Sean Connolly:

   The severity and frequency of these [bleaching] events means slow-growing corals won't have time to come back, if all the coral bleaches and dies, it's no longer a coral reef. The coral skeletons are quickly colonized by algae which turns them dark in color.

3. James Siho Lee:

   Its tremendously important that we appreciate and develop a curiosity for biodiversity, the next innovation for biotechnology could be out there in the wild. A new biodegradable sunscreen, for example, was discovered from extremophilic bacteria and algae. We have to protect and responsibly utilize wildlife.

4. Rick Thoman:

   It affects the whole food web from the algae to the krill on up.

5. Timothy Gibson:

   There is strong fossil evidence that red algae existed over a billion years ago, and we know the red and green algae diverged from a common ancestor, so, although this doesnt fundamentally change the way Ill think about theevolutionof life, the discovery of this green algal fossil helps fill an important gap and strengthens an emerging timeline for the evolution of early, complex life.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=algae
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Algae
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algae
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/algae
6. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=algae