Division Chlorophyta - The Green Algae

Nathanael Alexis Milanes* and Danessa Mae Nidoy

B.S. Biology Students
Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, South La Union
College of Arts and Sciences
Agoo, La Union, Philippines
10 March 2017

ABSTRACT

Chlorophyta or also known as the Green Algae, are the most diverse group of algae.
Most species live in freshwater habitats and a large number in marine habitats; other
species are adapted to a wide range of land environments. Several species have adapted to
specialized and extreme environments, such as deserts, arctic environments, hypersaline
habitats, marine deep waters and deep-sea hydrothermal vents. The chlorophyta has macro
and micro species. First is the Cladophora, it forms short, rigid green filaments that branch in
many places. Caulerpa lentillipora, generally found growing on sandy to muddy substrates
on reef flats not exposed during low tides and where the water is generally calm. Euglena, a
microscopic green algae. This species is a single-celled microscopic alga that is both
heterotrophic and autotrophic. Chaetomorpha antennina, also called Chaeto for short. This
species grow as tufts or solitary unbranched filaments attached by a basal cell or
unattached in a mass of filaments. Oedogonium are one of the most diverse green algae
that are unbranched filament that is often attached. Cells are cylindrical, some with
extensive ringlike caps below the cross wall. Each cell has a parietal chloroplast, and
pyrenoids. Microspora, unbranched filament with cylindrical cells having lamellate walls that
are sometimes contracted at the cross wall. Therefore Chlorophyta are the most diverse
group of algae due to its dominant number in different habitats.

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INTRODUCTION Algae was in the Room 114 or the Micro
Lab of the CAS building DMMMSU-SLUC,
Agoo, La Union.
C hlorophyta are the most diverse
group of algae, with more than 7000
species growing in a variety of habitats.
The "green algae" is a paraphyletic group
because it excludes the Plantae. Like the
plants, the green algae contain two forms
of chlorophyll, which they use for A B
photosynthesis, but unlike plants they are
primarily aquatic [1]. This group of algae Figure 1. A) Lake in DMMMSU-SLUC,
contains both unicellular and multicellular Agoo, La Union. Site were the researchers
species. Some conduct sexual collected water sample.
reproduction, which is oogamous or B) River in Gonzales, Tubao, La Union.
isogamous. Most species live in freshwater
habitats and a large number in marine Study Plan
habitats; other species are adapted to a
wide range of land environments. Some Collection of Sample Algae
members of the Chlorophyta form
symbiotic relationships with protozoa, The researchers collected some
sponges, and cnidarians. Others form freshwater sample containing some Algae
symbiotic relationships with fungi to form using a glass of bottle. The researchers
lichens [2]. submerged the glass bottle in the water
and collected some water samples.
Several species have adapted to
specialized and extreme environments,
such as deserts, arctic environments,
hypersaline habitats, marine deep waters
and deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Some
species of Chlorophyta are heterotrophic,
either free-living or parasitic [2].

METHODOLOGY

Study Design

This study is a Descriptive research Figure 2. Collection of freshwater sample

because this type of research simply aims containing some green algae.
to determine, describe or identify what is.
So this suits in, in this type of research Identifying the Algae
because it aims to determine different
types, population, and number of The researchers identified different
Chlorophyta or Green Alage in a certain types of micro and macro green algae.
area.
In Microscopic Green algae. The
Site of the Study researchers dropped a small amount of
water in a water slide and looked into the
The collection of microscopic Algae electric microscope. While in the
in this research was collected in the Lake Macroscopic Green Algae, the researchers
of DMMMSU-SLUC, Agoo, La Union and identified it using reference books.
while in the Macro Algae was collected in
River of Gonzales, Tubao, La Union and in
Agoo, La Union . While the place where
the researchers identified the sample

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 Next macro green algae are the
Caulerpa lentillipora. This species isa
stoloniferous, it grows up to 10 cm tall. It
A B
has a Descending branches (pillars) with
tufts of rhizoids arising at irregular
intervals from ventral side of stolons. C.
lentillifera is generally found growing on
sandy to muddy substrates on reef flats
not exposed during low tides and where
the water is generally calm. It may form
Figure 3. A) Observing the sample at the extensive beds or meadows in
electric microscope. B) Image of exceptionally good habitats. The alga is
Chlamydomonas. stenohaline and cannot thrive in areas
where salinity is less than 25% [4]. So
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION since it is usually found in various areas
these algae was used in a raw vegetable
The results in identifying green salad. C. lentillifera is a potential source of
algae has been tallied. protein and shows haemagglutinic activity.
It usually contains small quantities of
Chlorophyta terpenoids [4].
Macroscopic Microscopic
Cladophora Euglena Next are the microscopic green
Caulerpa lentillipora Chaetomorpha algae. First is the Euglena. This species is
a single-celled microscopic alga that is
antennina
both heterotrophic and autotrophic. Their
Oedogonium
chloroplasts trap sunlight and use it to
Microspora
carry out photosynthesis [5]. Euglenas are
Table 1. Summary data of the results in usually found to live in fresh water,
identifying green algae. streams, and in some fresh water ponds.
They are usually found in places where
The table shows that there or more there is a high level of chlorophyll.
microscopic green algae identified Because these protists are autotrophs,
compare to macroscopic green algae. they can produce their own energy from
chlorophyll in the same manner of plants
First macroscopic green alga [5]. So thats the reason why the
identified was the Cladophora. This researchers identified some euglenas in
species are sometimes called branching the river of Tubao, La Union due to high
algae. These green algae are very level of chlorophyll.
stubborn. It forms short, rigid green
filaments that branch in many places. This Chaetomorpha antennina, also
growth habit makes Cladophora sp. easy called Chaeto for short, is a genus of
to identify. It also has a characteristic green algae. The species grow as tufts or
smell that can be compared to that of solitary unbranched filaments attached by
mushrooms. Its cell walls seem to be a basal cell or unattached in a mass of
harder than those of other algae, since filaments. Chaetomorpha antennina grows
Cladophora sp. is not eaten well by the by absorbing nitrates and phosphates
typical algivores like the Amano shrimp. from water, much like how terrestrial
After some time it forms dense tufts. plants absorb nitrates and phosphates
Usually these tufts sit between the from the soil or from fertilizer to grow [6].
branches of aquatic plants, mainly in
ground-covering plants or mosses [3]. Oedogonium are one of the most
Therefore this macro green algae is widely diverse green algae that are unbranched
seen in aquatic areas because A nutrient filament that is often attached. Cells are
imbalance can then cause Cladophora sp. cylindrical, some with extensive ringlike
to spread massively [3]. caps below the cross wall. Each cell has a

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parietal chloroplast, and pyrenoids. Found
in freshwater habitats such as ponds, 3. Cladophora sp. Algae -
lakes, streams, or marshes. It is Aquascaping
sometimes epiphytic on submerged plants Wiki. (2014). Aquasabi.com.
[7]. So no doubted that this algae can be Retrieved 9 March 2017,
found anywhere. from
https://www.aquasabi.com/a
Last is the Microspora, unbranched quascaping-
filament with cylindrical cells having wiki/algae/cladophora-sp-
lamellate walls that are sometimes algae
contracted at the cross wall. Its
reproduction by biflagellate isogametes. It 4. Sea Grapes, Caulerpa
usally found in Freshwater ponds, streams, lentillifera.
and bogs [8]. Therefore this algae is (2010). MarineBio.org.
widely found in this areas. Also, Retrieved 9 March 2017,
Microspora can remove heavy metal from
contamination from the surrounding water http://marinebio.org/species
[8]. So it is really important in the .asp?id=8231
environment.
5. Euglena. (2013). Biology 1122.
CONCLUSION Retrieved 9 March 2017,
from
As conclusion, Chlorophya are the most http://scienceforshottaz.wee
diverse group of algae. They can be found bly.com/euglena.html
in all areas, freshwater, marine water and
terrestrial habitats. Also green algae are
not only important as a edible food but
some species serves as biological 6. Chaetomorpha | Best
scavengers. They absorb high level of Macroalgae for
metals; remove various toxics and more the Refugium. (2015).
undiscovered uses of this group of Saltwater Aquarium
organisms. So it is really important to Hobby.com. Retrieved 9
maintain this species because someday March 2017, from
they will become a source not only for http://saltwateraquariumhob
food but source of new life that may by.com/saltwater-aquarium-
continue the life on Earth. setup/refugium/chaetomorp
ha-best-macroalgae-for-the-
refugium/
REFERENCES
7. Phycokey - Oedogonium.
(2013).
1. Green Algae (Phylum
Cfb.unh.edu. Retrieved 9
Chlorophyta).
March 2017, from
(2015). iNaturalist.org.
http://cfb.unh.edu/phycokey
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/Choices/Chlorophyceae/fila
from
ments/unbranched/OEDOGO
https://www.inaturalist.org/t
NIUM/Oedogonium_key.html
axa/50863-Chlorophyta
8. Phycokey - Microspora. (2015).
2. Introduction to the Green Algae.
Cfb.unh.edu. Retrieved 9
(2010). Ucmp.berkeley.edu.
March 2017, from
Retrieved 9 March 2017,
http://cfb.unh.edu/phycokey
from
/Choices/Chlorophyceae/fila
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.e
ments/unbranched/MICROSP
du/greenalgae/greenalgae.h
ORA/Microspora_key.html
tml

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OTHER INFORMATION
For more information and details about the
project you may contact the following
individual(s) thru:

Authors Contact Information

Facebook: n.alexis.milanes@gmailcom
Gmail: n.alexis.milanes@gmailcom

Appendices

Cladophora
Microspora

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Oedogonium
Chlamydomonas
Chaetomorpha
Caulerpa lentillipora
antennina