Question

What is basal holdfast?

Answer 1

Brown algae:

1. These include the group of algae belonging to class Phaeophyceae.
2. They are named due to their color, which varies from brown to olive green. They are also mostly found in marine environments. They are multicellular algae.
3. They are filamentous & branched.
4. The plant body is thallus, i.e. they lack true roots, stem, and leaves.

They also have a root-like structure called a holdfast.

1. It anchors them to their substrate.
2. The structure of holdfast varies in different types of species. They do not take part in nutrient or water uptake unlike roots in plants. They prevent the algae from being flown away by the water current.