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The World of Algae

Chapter  in  NATO Security through Science Series A: Chemistry and Biology · January 1970
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4020-8480-5_1

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THE WORLD OF ALGAE

LAURA BARSANTI 1, PRIMO COLTELLI 2, VALTERE

EVANGELISTA 1, ANNA MARIA FRASSANITO 1,
VINCENZO PASSARELLI 1, NICOLETTA VESENTINI 3
AND PAOLO GUALTIERI1*
1
Istituto di Biofisica C.N.R., 2Istituto Scienza e Tecnologia
dell’ Informazione C.N.R., 3Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica C.N.R.
Area della Ricerca di Pisa, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy

Abstract: In the following sections of this chapter we will try to give an

outline of some algae characteristics and general information on their classi-
fication, distribution, structure, nutrition and reproduction. In the last para-
graph a short account on the origin of eukaryotic algae is set out.

Keywords: Algae, endosymbiosis theory, pigments distribution

1. Introduction

In the following sections of this chapter we will try to give an outline of

some algae characteristics and general information on their classification,
distribution, structure, nutrition and reproduction. In the last paragraph a
short account on the origin of eukaryotic algae is set out. Some of the most
peculiar and interesting features mentioned in these pages will be discussed
with more details in the last chapter of the book. Although the term algae
has no formal taxonomic standing, it is nevertheless routinely used to indi-
cate a polyphyletic and artificial assemblage, of O2–evolving, photosynthetic
organisms. Then, how can we distinguish algae from plants? The answer is
quite easy since the similarities we have listed between algae and plants are
much fewer than their differences. Actually, plants exhibit an elevated level
of differentiation (e.g. roots, leaves, stems, xylem/phloem vascular network);

______
*To whom correspondence should be addressed. Paolo Gualtieri, Istituto di Biofisica C.N.R., Area
della Ricerca di Pisa, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy. Email: paolo.gualtieri@pi.ibf.cnr.it

V. Evangelista et al. (eds.), Algal Toxins: Nature, Occurrence, Effect and Detection. 1
© Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2008

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