Unicellular algae: what are, characteristics, types and examples

Also known as microalgaeunicellular algae constitute the largest group of algae that currently exist (followed by multicellular or macroalgas algae). As its name indicates, the Unicellular algae are unicellular organismsthat is, they are constituted by A single celleukaryotic or prokaryotic, being necessary therefore to have a microscope to be able to visualize them.

These amazing organisms grouped within the protist kingdom are one of the main links of the trophic and ecological chains within the aquatic and humid-terrestrial ecosystems in which they live, since, being Autotrophic photosynthetic organismsThey constitute the base of primary producers for many interspecific and intra -specific relationships.

In the next sections we will see in detail more characteristics of the surprising unicellular algae, as well as many examples to know them better. In addition, if you want to learn more about what are the unicellular organisms, we recommend this other article.

Now that we know what this type of algae is, let’s see in this section many of the main characteristics of unicellular algae:

Forms and organization of unicellular algae

Unicellular algae have very varied ways of life: some are free life and floating wandering in the aquatic ecosystems in which they live, while others live fixed in the seabed, sometimes even embedded to rocks or located on animals or other larger algae.

In addition, they are able to organize in colonies of the same or different species to survive, as well as forming underwater prairies; while other species instead live independently.

Unicellular algae pigments

The pigments that allow unicellular algae to perform photosynthesis are of various types: chlorophylls (A, byc), beta carotenes, ficobilins and xanthophiles. These cellular photosynthetic pigments are responsible for providing algae to green, reddish, brown or even bluish colors.

Where unicellular algae inhabit

For their survival, unicellular algae need to have certain physical-chemical characteristics in their environment, such as a certain temperature and composition of water. They are capable of growing and developing both in fresh and salted water ecosystems, as well as in lobal ecosystems and lentic and even wet terrestrial ecosystems.

Unicellular algae associations

Like any organism, unicellular algae also develop associations or relationships with other organisms, these being positive (symbiosis) or negative (parasitism). Thus, it is possible to find unicellular algae in symbiosis with fungi (mainly, lichens and mycorrhizae), as well as marine mollusks, amphibians, anemones and corals.

Unicellular algae feed

Generally, unicellular algae follow strictly autotrophic nutrition (through photosynthesis), although some species feed in a heterotroph form by consumption of other microorganisms. Other species are even able to develop myxotrophy and alternate both types of nutrition according to environmental conditions and presence of nutrients around it.

How is the reproduction of unicellular algae

According to environmental conditions, they are favorable or unfavorable, unicellular algae are capable of reproducing following sexual or asexual reproduction, respectively. In this way, when they reproduce more quickly and easily, they do it through the mechanism of binary fission (bipartition) or multiple fission, giving rise to new individuals with identical genetic material than that of the parent algae.

The current classification of unicellular algae is based on morphological and genetic characters that allow establishing the Taxonomy of unicellular algae. In the following list we will see What are unicellular algae are called according to the group in which they are within their taxonomy or biological classification of unicellular algae:

• Diatomeas (Bacillarioophyceae).
• Brown algae (Chrysophytas).
• Green algae (Cianophytas).
• Dinoflagelladas (Dinophytas).

Learn more about the classification of algae with this other Ecology Verde.

In the following list we present some Examples of unicellular algae species that fill the aquatic ecosystems of the planet with life, grouped according to the classification viewed above:

Diatomeas

• Actinella Brasilliensis Lewis
• Amphipleura Kutzing
• Achnanthes Borge
• Anphora Ovalis
• Asterionella Hassall

Brown algae

• Synura spp.
• Stephanophyxis Palmeriana
• Rhizosolenia Calcaravis

Green algae

• Rivularia Bullata
• Chroococcus turgidus
• Anabaena spp.
• Oscillatory spp
• Chlamydomonas spp.

Dinoflagellated

• Ceratium Furca
• Gymnodinium catenatum
• PERIDINIUM DEPRESUM
• Pyrodinium bahamense
• Symbiodinium microadriaticum
• Noctiluca Scintillans

The main difference between unicellular algae and multicellular algae is based on their cellular structure, being constituted by one and multiple cells, respectively. Directly related to the ALGAS STRUCTURE As for their cells, the size between both types of algae is also very disparate, being the Unicellular microscopic organismswhile multicellular algae get to reach more than one meter long, like the famous Laminaria Digitata and the sargasso (Genus Sargassum).

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