Question

Which of the following groups of algae do not have eukaryotic organization?
A. Red algae
B. Blue green algae
C. Golden brown algae
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Step by step answer: Eukaryotic cells as opposed to prokaryotic cells have completely developed and functioning nuclei along with all cellular organelles. These cells also have DNA as their genetic material stored in chromosomes. Even though the name of blue-green algae has ‘algae’ in it, it isn’t really a type of algae. This organism comes under the kingdom Monera which includes all kinds of bacteria. Cyanobacteria are commonly called blue-green algae as they possess few properties like algae. Cyanobacteria are aquatic and photosynthetic as they prepare their own food using sunlight just like algae do. Other than this they do not have any characteristics of a eukaryote. Cyanobacteria as a prokaryotic cell, lack nucleus. Their cell wall is made up of peptidoglycan which is a significant characteristic of the kingdom Monera. Like other bacteria, blue-green algae also reproduce by asexual means. Therefore, blue green algae are not really algae but a member of the kingdom Monera, and thus they have prokaryotic organizations.
Hence the correct answer is B, i.e., Blue green algae

Additional information:
Cyanobacteria i.e., blue-green algae possess a unique property of nitrogen fixation. These bacteria convert inert atmospheric nitrogen to simpler forms i.e., ammonia which can be easily absorbed by the plants. And hence they are called ‘nitrogen-fixing bacteria’.

Note: The blue-green algae possess few properties similar to algae, they are commonly called algae. But in reality, they are one of the types of bacteria and hence belong to kingdom Monera. They belong to the category of photosynthetic bacteria.