Question

Identify the algae known for a biological activity called the bioluminescence.
a. Spirogyra
b. Chlorella
c. Cyclotella
d. None of the above

Answer 1

An alga is defined as a chlorophyll-containing, thalloid (not differentiated into root, stem, and leaves) and vascular plant having no cellular differentiation. It contains around 29,000 species. The branch of science dealing with the study of algae is called Phycology or algology. The term was first coined by Linnaeus.

Complete answer:
Some important points include-
- Algae are mostly found in freshwater as well as saltwater.
- The plant body is a simple thallus consisting of parenchymatous cells or tissues.
- These can be unicellular or multicellular the body of multicellular algae ranges from small colonial to largest ranging several 100 feats.
- The dominant phase in algae is gametophyte.
- All kinds of reproduction, vegetative, asexual, and sexual reproduction are found in algae.

Some important examples include –

Chlorella- It is a non-motile unicellular green algae that occurs in diverse aquatic habitats the cell wall contains cellulose and sexual reproduction takes place through autospores.
Spirogyra -It is an unbranched filamentous green algae. It is also called water silk or mermaid's tresses. It is autotrophic. It can multiply through fragmentation.

Cyclotella - It is a type of diatom. These are regarded as jewels of the plant Kingdom.
None of the above examples possess bioluminescence(depict colour or shines). Bioluminescence is shown by dinoflagellates. They comprise the phylum pyrrophyta of algae, the Golden Brown photosynthetic protests bioluminescence or phosphorescence is shown by only dinoflagellates.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Note: There are some forms that show bioluminescence and these are called the fire algae example Noctiluca. Diatoms and Golden algae are included under the phylum called Chrysophyta of algae. There is a large economic importance of algae. These are used as food and fodder, can be used in industries as, Agar; in medicine; in water purification; in sewage disposal; in biological research, etc. Some algae cause water bloom which is also known as algal bloom and is harmful to marine life.