Which of the following is the red algae?

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (a) Rhodophyceae

Rhodophyceae is commonly known as red algae due to the presence of phycoerythrin, a red pigment that masks the green chlorophyll. Red algae are mostly marine and are found in deeper waters because phycoerythrin allows them to absorb blue and green light, which penetrates deeper into the ocean.

Examples of red algae include Gelidium, Gracilaria, and Porphyra. Many species are important for producing agar and carrageenan, which are used in food and industrial applications.

Information Booster:

• Red algae reproduce both sexually and asexually.
• They store food in the form of Floridean starch.
• Some red algae contribute to the formation of coral reefs by depositing calcium carbonate.
• Agar extracted from red algae is widely used in microbiology labs and food industries.
• Porphyra (Nori) is used in sushi preparation.

Additional Information:

• Chlorophyceae – Known as green algae due to high chlorophyll content (e.g., Chlamydomonas, Spirogyra, Ulva).
• Liverwort – A type of bryophyte, not an algae (e.g., Marchantia).
• Phaeophyceae – Known as brown algae due to the presence of fucoxanthin (e.g., Laminaria, Fucus, Sargassum).