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Algae, Friend or Foe?
Carolyn Holcomb
Standards
A.1. Design, analyze, or carry out simple investigations and
formulate appropriate conclusions based on data obtained or
provided.
A.1.B Identify general distinctions among organisms that
support classifying some things as plants, some as animals,
and some that do not fit neatly into either group.
B.1.a. Use microscopes or other magnifying instruments to
observe, describe,and compare the cellular composition of
different body tissues and organs in a variety of organisms.
Background Knowledge
Resources
In this unit the students will obtain basic
information on the characteristics of algae. They
will begin by investigating basic algal morphology.
Students will then expand their knowledge to
include the universal characteristics present in all
species of algae.
Labs
Algae, a multipurpose friend!
Can you name that scum?
Objective:
Students will use a microscope and an
identification guide to correctly identify three
forms of algae on prepared slides .
General Information
Objective
Upon completion of this unit students should:
•Demonstrate knowledge of the basic characteristics
of algae.
•Cite evidence to defend or oppose placing algae in
the kingdom protista.
• Use a microscope to successfully identify three
species of algae
•And demonstrate an understanding of the
beneficial contributions of algae to the environment.
What are algae?
Too much of a good thing…
Algae are any of various chiefly aquatic eukaryotic,
photosynthetic organisms, ranging in size from
single-celled forms to giant kelp.
A
What are algae’s basic characteristics?
• Algae have three basic morphologies:
1. Unicellular
2. Filamentous
3. Colonial
• Algae have cell walls made of cellulose OR silica
• Algae do NOT reproduce with seeds
• Algae are non vascular
• Algae do NOT have true roots, stems, or leaves
Algal blooms can lead to a depletion of dissolved oxygen,
causing problems for aquatic plants and animals.
RESOURCES
www.umes.edu/crest
www.thefreedictionary.com/algae
http://water.me.vccs.edu/courses/env108/lesson2_3.htm
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I wish to thank the following for their outstanding work and
research in their fields:
Taxonomic Anomaly
Using a graphic organizer, students will use their knowledge of the
plant and protista kingdom to characterize algae.
Common, unflattering, names used to refer to algae include
“sea weed” and “pond scum”
Dr. Andrea Johnson, CISCEP Associate Director
Dr. Paulinus Chigbu, CISCEP Director
Dr. Joseph Pitula
Dr. Madhumi Mitra
Kerrie Bunting Program Coordinator
Christopher Daniels, CISCEP Boat Captain