Question

The classification of the group algae is based on

• A. Nature of sex organs
• B. Nature of pigments
• C. Nature of spores
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is B Nature of pigments

The classification of the group algae is based on nature of pigments.

Three groups of Algae - Rhodophyta (red algae), Phaeophyta (brown algae) and Chlorophyta (green algae) have been included in the Kingdom Metaphyta.

Red algae -The red colour of these algae results from the pigments phycoerythrin and phycocyanin; this masks the other pigments, Chlorophyll a (no Chlorophyll b), beta-carotene and a number of unique xanthophylls.

The brown colour of these algae results from the dominance of the xanthophyll pigment fucoxanthin, which masks the other pigments, Chlorophyll a and c (there is no Chlorophyll b), beta-carotene and other xanthophylls. Food reserves are typically complex polysaccharides, sugars and higher alcohols.