Phycology and Phycology Lab Course by Dr. Mohamed Jawad Al-Haidarey Ecological Biogeochemistry / Phycology

Textbooks: Lectures, required reading:   Linda E Graham & Lee W Wilcox (2000) Algae , Prentice-Hall. Marty Kelly & Richard Telford (2007) Common fresh water diatoms of Britain and Ireland. Janet R stein (1975) Hand book of phcological methods, culture methods, and growth measurements. السعدي، حسين علي و نضال ادريس سليمان (2007) علم الطحالب مورس ، ايان (1979) مقدمة الطحالب بغدادي ، وفاء (1985) الاشنات والطحالب البحرية

Attendance politics: Regular attendance of lectures and lab classes is expected. It is further expected that students show up in time. For both the lecture and the lab classes, the student who comes late most will have to bring doughnuts or some food for the next lecture  .

Phycology Syllabus · Introduction to phycology · Basics of algal biology · Reproduction in algae · The role of algae in biogeochemistry · Algae in biological associations · The role of algae in aquatic food webs · Taxonomy and Systematics of Algae · Phytoplankton size in ecology · The physical environment: temperature, light, turbulence · Growth of phytoplankton · Losses of phytoplankton · Swimming and bouyancy · Cyanobacteria · The origin of eukaryotic algae · Euglenophytes · Cryptophytes · Prymensiophytes (Haptophytes) · Dinophytes (Dinoflagellates) · Introduction to the Ochrophytes · Diatoms · Raphidophytes and Chrysophyceans · Synurophyceans, silicoflagellates, pedinelids, tribophyceans · Phaeophytes (Brown algae) · Rhodophytes (Red algae) · Introduction to the Green algae · Prasinophyceans · Ulvophyceans · Trebouxiophyceans · Chlorophyceans · Charophyceans · Ecology of macroalgae and periphyton

INTRODUCTION TO ALGAL CHARACTERISTICS AND DIVERSITY PHYCOLOGY=STUDY OF ALGAE Phycology is the science (gr. logos) of algae (gr. phycos). This discipline deals with the morphology, taxonomy, phylogeny, biology, and ecology of algae in all ecosystems

FOSSIL HISTORY OF ALGAE 3.5 billion yrs ago Cyanobacteria—first algae Prokaryotes—lack membrane bound organelles Later eukaryotes evolved—mitochondria, chloroplasts, and chromosomes containing DNA.

Where are algae abound Kelp  forest up to 50 m height are the marine equivalent to terrestrial forest; mainly built by brown algae. Some algae encrust  with carbonate, building reef-like structures; Cyanobacteria can from rock-like structures in warm tidal areas: stromatolites.

Where are algae abound

ALGAE How are algae similar to higher plants? How are algae different from higher plants?

Similarities Presence of cell wall—mostly cellulosic. Autotrophs/Primary producers—carry out photosynthesis Presence of chlorophyll a

Differences Algae lack the roots, stems, leaves, and other structures typical of true plants. Algae do not have vascular tissues—non vascular plants Algae do not form embryos within protective coverings—all cells are fertile. Variations in pigments. Variations in cell structure—unicellular, colonial and multicellular forms.

PROKARYOTIC VS EUKARYOTIC ALGAE Prokaryote algal cell Prokaryotes ---No nuclear region and complex organelles—chloroplasts, mitochondria, golgi bodies, and endoplasmic reticula. -- Cyanobacteria. Chlorophylls are on internal membranes of flattened vesicles called thylakoids-contain photosynthetic pigments. Phycobiliproteins occur in granular structures called phycobilisomes. Source: http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/webb/BOT311/Cyanobacteria/Cyanobacteria.htm

Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Algae Eukaryotes ---Distinct chlorplast, nuclear region and complex organelles. --- Thylakoids are grouped into grana pyrenoids are centers of carbon dioxide fixation within the chloroplasts of algae and hornworts. Pyrenoids are not membrane-bound organelles, but specialized areas of the plastid that contain high levels of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase granum with a Stack of thylakoids pyrenoid

DIVERSITY IN ALGAE BODY OF AN ALGA=THALLUS DIVERSITY IN MORPHOLOGY ----MICROSCOPIC Unicellular, Colonial and Filamentous forms. Source: http://images.google.com/images

CELLULAR ORGANIZATION Flagella=organs of locomotion. Chloroplast=site of photosynthesis. Thylakoids are present in the chloroplast. The pigments are present in the thylakoids. Pyrenoid-structure associated with chloroplast. Contains ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate Carboxylase, proteins and carbohydrates. Eye-spot=part of chloroplast. Directs the cell towards light. Source: A Biology of the Algae By Philip Sze, third edition, WCB MCGraw-Hill

DIVERSITY IN ALGAE MACROALGAE Photos are by Dr. Mitra’s Research Group. These pictures are not to be used for any purpose without Dr. Mitra’s approval.

Variations in the pigment constitution Chlorophylls (green) Carotenoids (brown, yellow or red) Phycobilins (red pigment-phycoerythrin blue pigment –phycocyanin)

REPRODUCTION Sexual-Gametes Vegetative Cell divisions/Fragmentation =part of the filament breaks off from the rest and forms a new one. Asexual Reproduction Zoospores after losing their flagella, form new filaments. No sexual fusion.

SEXUAL REPRODUCTION ISOGAMY-Both gametes have flagella and similar in size and morphology. ANISOGAMY-Gametes have flagella but are dissimilar in shape and size. One gamete is distinctly smaller than the other one. OOGAMY-gamete with flagella (sperm) fuses with a larger, non flagellated gamete (egg).

ECOLOGICAL DIVERSITY LAND---WATER FRESH WATER---MARINE HABITATS FLOATING (PLANKTONIC)—BENTHIC (BOTTOM DWELLERS) EPIPHYTES