Algae

The 'Algae', are a diverse group of organisms (from the Latin word for 'seaweed') that are mostly photosynthetic. They widely range in size from unicellular microscopic forms to large multicellular seaweeds. They occur in all types of environments such as oceans, freshwater ponds, lakes, streams, hotsprings, polar ice, and moist soil. The chlorophyll 'a', yellow and orange carotenoids which are photosynthetic pigments are found in all algae; different groups of algae possess a variety of other pigments that are also important in photosynthesis. The classification of algae is largely based on their pigment composition and what kind of materials they produce to store, energy resources. The algae are reproduced both asexually and sexually. The algae are commercially important. They are used for human food, as fodder, in sewage disposal, in water purification, preparation of antibiotics, agar, carrageenin, algenic acid, in agriculture and also in biological research etc. The various types of algal models and photographs are exhibited in the Systematic Botany Gallery.