Phaeophyta Clare Fitzmaurice

Key Features Flotation Bladders – Help to keep blades near the surface for better photosynthesis Large surface area – To absorb dissolved nutrients from the water Thallus – Made up of blade, stipe, and holdfast

Interesting Facts Reserve their food as Laminarin, a 3-glucose molecule Derive their color from several brownish carotenoid pigments found in the chloroplast They are not free-floating creatures. They usually attach to rock, coral, or other firm surfaces.

Life Cycle Alternation of generations Physiologically independent haploid gametophyte plants produce gametes These gametes fuse to start the diploid sporophyte generation Sporophyte plant makes haploids spores through meiosis, which become gametophytes The two generations may be indistinguishable in size and form, or they may differ greatly

Pictures Laminaria saccharina Nereocystis luetkeana

More Pictures Sargassum Sargassum fluitans

Significance Purify water, produce oxygen, and provide a habitat for animals Used in food processing, paper making, textile industry, and many more industries Used as a basic medium in scientific research Can reduce fever, diminish inflammation, treat ulcers, and prevent cancer