Difference between revisions of "AY Honors/Marine Algae/Answer Key"
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{{honor_header|3|1961|Nature<br>General Conference<br>2001 Edition}} | {{honor_header|3|1961|Nature<br>General Conference<br>2001 Edition}} | ||
==1. What is marine algae? == | ==1. What is marine algae? == | ||
+ | Seaweeds are any of a large number of marine benthic algae. They are macroscopic, multicellular, and macrothallic, in contrast with most other algae. Seaweeds are often confused with other photosynthetic organisms. Seaweeds are popularly described as plants, but biologists typically do not consider them true Plantae. They should not be confused with plants such as seagrasses (which are vascular plants). In addition, a few species of cyanobacteria bear a resemblance to seaweed algae. Many phycologists prefer the term "marine algae" over "seaweeds". | ||
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+ | Seaweeds' appearance somewhat resembles non-arboreal terrestrial plants. | ||
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+ | thallus: the algal body | ||
+ | lamina: a flattened structure that is somewhat leaf-like | ||
+ | sorus: spore cluster | ||
+ | on Fucus, air bladders: float-assist organ (on blade) | ||
+ | on kelp, floats: float-assist organ (between lamina and stipe) | ||
+ | stipe: a stem-like structure, may be absent | ||
+ | holdfast: specialized basal structure providing attachment to a surface, often a rock or another alga. | ||
+ | The stipe and blade are collectively known as fronds. | ||
==2. Where is it found? == | ==2. Where is it found? == |
Revision as of 22:29, 19 July 2007
1. What is marine algae?
Seaweeds are any of a large number of marine benthic algae. They are macroscopic, multicellular, and macrothallic, in contrast with most other algae. Seaweeds are often confused with other photosynthetic organisms. Seaweeds are popularly described as plants, but biologists typically do not consider them true Plantae. They should not be confused with plants such as seagrasses (which are vascular plants). In addition, a few species of cyanobacteria bear a resemblance to seaweed algae. Many phycologists prefer the term "marine algae" over "seaweeds".
Seaweeds' appearance somewhat resembles non-arboreal terrestrial plants.
thallus: the algal body lamina: a flattened structure that is somewhat leaf-like sorus: spore cluster on Fucus, air bladders: float-assist organ (on blade) on kelp, floats: float-assist organ (between lamina and stipe) stipe: a stem-like structure, may be absent holdfast: specialized basal structure providing attachment to a surface, often a rock or another alga. The stipe and blade are collectively known as fronds.