EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Algae are the photosynthetic organisms that derive solar energy and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to form their biomass (Demirbas, 2010). They range from unicellular to multicellular, microscopic to gigantic kelps and vary in shape from spherical to filamentous.

Detailed explanation-2: -Algae are a diverse group of predominantly aquatic photosynthetic organisms, including cyanobacteria, green algae and other eukaryotic algae. They account for more than 50% of the photosynthesis that takes place on Earth.

Detailed explanation-3: -Algae contain chlorophyll and can prepare their own food by photosynthesis in the presence of sunlight using carbon dioxide and water.

Detailed explanation-4: -Most are phototrophic, although some are mixotrophic, deriving energy both from photosynthesis and uptake of organic carbon either by osmotrophy, myzotrophy, or phagotrophy.

Detailed explanation-5: -Although most algae are phototrophic (relying on energy derivation from photosynthesis), some of them are mixotrophic, and others, heterotrophic. Mixotrophic algae obtain energy both via photosynthesis and organic carbon uptake (e.g. by osmotrophy, phagotrophy, and mixotrophy).