Green Algae (Chlorophyta)

• Marine phytoplankton group

  Prasinophyceans
• True seaweeds

  Ulvophyceae
• Tissue of green algae

  Thallus
• The large central vacuole in the thallus maintains rigidity and structure
• Cell that can undergo nuclear division but not cell division

  Coenocytic
• Due to its coenocytic nature, the thallus is a single large cell with multiple nuclei
• Chlorophyta cell wall component

  Cellulose
• Deposition of calcium carbonate along chlorophyte walls is defense against herbivory
• Defense against herbivory:

  1. Calcium carbonate deposition
  2. Release of toxins
  3. Rapid growth cycle
• Sea slugs are able to absorb chlorophyte toxins, leading to their colors
• Diploid individual phase that produces haploid sporangia

  Sporophyte
• Haploid phase with 2 life forms

  Gametophyte
• Sporophyte (diploid) -> Sporangium -> Gametophyte (haploid)-> Gametes fusing