Algae:
- Algae include a wide group of eukaryotic unicellular photosynthetic organisms.
- They are predominantly found in aquatic habitats.
Reproduction in algae:
Algae reproduce by different methods such as vegetative, asexual, and sexual reproduction.
Vegetative reproduction:
- This is the most common reproduction mechanism in which the vegetative organ of the thallus develops into new organisms.
- The different modes of reproduction are cell division, fragmentation, budding, bulbil outgrowths, and the formation of adventitious branches.
Asexual reproduction:
- In this kind of reproduction, spores are formed that when dispersed, develop into new, whole plants.
- The different forms of spores generated are zoospores, aplanospores, akinetes, exospores, and endospores.
Sexual reproduction:
- Sexual reproduction involves the union of gametes to form zygotes
- The different modes are autogamy, hologamy, isogamy, and oogamy.