What are algae?
The word ‘algae’ is an informal name given to a large collection of mostly photosynthetic organisms that may also include photosynthetic bacteria (cyanobacteria). They vary in size from tiny, unicellular forms to giant kelps that may measure up to 50 metres (160 feet) in length. Plants evolved from the green algae.
Although in the book we mentioned green, red and brown algae, there are many more groups among the microscopic algae. Green algae are called Chlorophyta, red algae are Rhodophyta and brown algae are Phaeophyta.
Fun fact: In South Africa one of the kelps, called sea bamboo, has a hollow stalk and a hollow bulb at the end. In drift kelp, you can collect these stalks and trim them so that the bulb and other end of the stalk is open. The then act like a trumpet or vuvuzela. A few crazy phycologists, myself included, once collected some of these kelp stalks, and tried to create noise-making orchestra. THere was a time when brown algae were called Phaeophycophyta, so we called ourselves the ‘phaeophycophyta philharmonic’.
The study of algae is called phycology (from Greek phykos ‘seaweed’) and people who study algae are called phycologists.
Fun fact: I studied algae, so I am a phycologist, which sounds similar to psychologist. I was once introduced on a radio programme as a marine psychologist. I suppose they thought I studied the behaviour of seaweeds!
