Question

A student observed an algae with chl-a, chl-d and phycoerythrin, it should belong to

• A. Phaeophyta
• B. Rhodophyta
• C. Chlorophyta
• D. Bacillariophyta

Answer 1

The correct option is B Rhodophyta

Red algae are red because of the presence of the pigment phycoerythrin; this pigment reflects red light and absorbs blue light. Because blue light penetrates water to a greater depth than light of longer wavelengths, these pigments allow red algae to photosynthesize and live at somewhat greater depths than most other "algae". Some rhodophytes have very little phycoerythrin, and may appear green or bluish from the chlorophyll and other pigments present in them.

Thus, the correct answer is option B.