Golden Algae Brittney Jackson and Kaylee Kraft

Basics Phylum: Chrysophyta Both freshwater and marine Majority are photosynthetic – Pigments Chlorophylls a & c Carotenoids – Fucoxanthin Energy reserves – Oils – Carbohydrates

Acquiring Food Some species eat bacteria – Others food particles Most photosynthesize

Classification and Importance Extremely important in marine ecosystems – Large portion of nanoplankton – Nanoplankton: extremely minute algae that are great producers because of their abundance Controversial Classification – Diatoms and golden algae – Brown algae – Golden algae divided coccolithoporids

Movement Biflagellated Some have no flagella – Similar to amoebas (physical characteristics), but have chloroplasts

Structure Unicellular Small scales may coat the cells – Silica – Calcium carbonate

Reproduction Mostly asexual – Zoospores: Flagellated, motile spores