ALGOLOGY/PHYCOLOGY

Algae,  what is it? Are they plants? Perhaps those first settled the land? In order not to come up with such questions, I will tell you a little about algae.The definition of algae is:Algae are a heterogeneous group of primarily photosynthetic organisms with chlorophyll a

Algology/Phycology is a science of algae, in nature very important organisms.

There are two names of this science:

  -Algology lat. algae = sea grass and Greek words logos = science

  -Phycology of two Greek words phycos = see grass and logos = science.

The term algology is older than the term phycology.In the famous Webster dictionary, the science of algae is algology. However, in modern professional literature in English, preference is given to the expression of phycology, because the term algology resembles the English term algogenic, which means "the one who creates pain". However, members of this, one of the largest geographically widespread groups of organisms on Earth, are not familiar to ordinary people. Obviously, microscopic algae are not known to the common man. In this publication, I will make an effort to introduce you to some small algae that are not seen by the naked eye.Their dimensions are commonly measured by micrometers (1mm = 1000 micrometres).I'll show you how these microscopic algae look. At college, during the course of algology, I had the opportunity to get acquainted with the algae. I did not just meet, but I did photo them.

1.Batrachospermum

The first microscopic alga, which I will talk about, is my favorite. Batrachospermum It belongs to the phylum RHODOPHYTA. She lives on the bottom of freshwater rivers.The colors are olive green, and can be seen by the naked eye. But under the microscope, all her beauty comes to light. With this algae, it is interesting that it resembles the frog sperm. In appearance she got the name (Gr. batrachos-frog; sperma-seed). Do you think it is the most beautiful?

2. Spirogyra 

This algae is in the form of threads. The inside of the cell is a spirally arranged chloroplast. In each chloroplast, there are a number of large pyrenoids. Pyrenoid (Greek pyrene = bone, eidos = appearance) is cellular organelles that occur in the algae and moss of the Anthocerotopside group. This is a proteinaceous body and occurs in all algae except blue-green algae.Interestingly, this is algae that reproduces with ladder conjugation (see photo). Spirogyra It belongs of the phylum CHLOROPHYTA.

3. Bulbochaete

The genus was named after colorless, hairy cells that were basically enlarged and resembling a bud.Members of this genus are freshwater algae that are most often found attached to other aquatic plants, occasionally for stones, although after a while they become free floating forms. Bulbochaete it belongs of the phylum CHLOROPHYTA.

4. Gloeotrichia 

It is colonial algae. They can be ball-shaped or half-ball shaped. It is found as an epiphytic in standing and slow fresh water. Colonies can be separated from the substrate and switched to the planktonic lifestyle.One interesting thing about this algae. In conditions of elevated concentration of nutrients, they are intensively propagated and cause "flowering" of water. Gloeotrichia  it belongs of the phylum CYANOPROKARYOTA.

5. Melosira

These are single-celled individuals. The units are cylindrical in shape. It belongs to a very specific phylum, they contain silicon dioxide in their cell wall, which gives them firmness and beauty.

Text and pictures are mine. See you.