1. Crysophyta – The Golden Algae
By Glenn Lippig

2. Some Members
Dinobryon
Synura
Ochromonas
Phaeoplaca
Chrysophytes have varying life cycles since members are unicellular, colonial, or amoeboid, but most of them pass through a flagellate stage.

3. Key Features
Chrysophytes are facultatively heterotrophic (feed on bacteria/diatoms) in the absence of light
Most Crysophytes are unicellular, but some such as Dinobryn grow in colonies
Crysophytes are usually biflagellated (two flagella), but some have only one flagella and others are motile.

4. Chrysophyta are a foundation of the aquatic food chain in freshwater ponds and lakes.

5. Other Facts
Chrysophytes get their nickname “The Golden Algae” from their color, which is due to yellow and brown carotene and xanthophylls accessory pigments.
Chrysophyte cells can be “naked” and embedded in mucilage or “coccoid” and surrounded by a cell wall
There are over 1,000 species of Chrysophyta.
The ancestors of chrysophytes were actually not able to photosynthesize. It is believed they gained this ability through an endosymbiotic relationship with cyanobacteria.