Division Red algae ("whelk") includes about four thousand species and over six hundred births.The oldest representatives found in Cambrian sediments of age are about 550 million years.
Due to the number of features, red algae are considered separate subkingdom in the plant kingdom.In addition to the chromatophores red algae chlorophylls and carotenoids are present, some water-soluble pigments - phycobilins.As a backup, the polysaccharide appears bagryankovy starch.Its grain is deposited chloroplasts in the cytoplasm.
gametes and spores red algae have flagella.The cycle of development includes three stages.From zygote (after the merger) is formed diploid organisms - sporophyte.It produces a diploid spores of which is formed by the second generation.The new cells sporophyte is performed within a certain period of meiosis and develop haploid spores.They form the third generation - producing gametes haploid gametophyte.
As part of the cell membranes of red algae present hemicellulose and pectin.They have the ability to swell greatly, merging into the general mass of mucus.Often thread thallus (escape) glued gums and become slippery to the touch.In the intercellular spaces and cell walls of many red algae present phycocolloids.These sulfur-containing polysaccharides are widely used in human economic activity.The most popular are agaroid, carrageenin and agar.Many red algae distinguished by the presence of calcium carbonate in the cell walls.This component gives whelk stiffness.
A lot of red algae thalli education is carried out by means of interlocking multicellular filaments.They are attached to the substrate using rhizoids.Size thalli vary from a few centimeters to a whole meter.
Red algae mainly inhabit the seas.There is always attached to the whelk shells, stones and other objects at the bottom.Sometimes algae can be found on a large enough depth.
Kallitamnion corymbose - typical red alga.The representative red algae forms a very graceful bushes to ten centimeters tall, bright pink color.These bushes are composed of much branched filaments.
Nemalion - another representative of the red algae - growing on sea cliffs.Its pale pink cords reach five millimeters thick and twenty-five centimeters in length.
For algae Delessert kind of bright red fronds resemble leaves.
The warm seas are common whelk genus Corallina.Their fronds consist of segments impregnated with lime and connecting joints (with a slight lime content).This gives the flexibility of the plant, which helps to withstand waves and develop in areas of strong surf.
whelk is widely used in human economic activity.As is known, these algae are quite valuable product due to the presence of protein, minerals and vitamins.
In Hawaii, in the East Asian countries of red algae are preparing a variety of dishes.These algae consume and candied or dried.From edible red algae popular porphyry and rodimeniya.These algae are found in many seas.In Japan, widely developed industrial cultivation of these plants.The coastal strip stacked in shallow water stones, branches or stretched ad hoc networks, woven from thick ropes and attached to the bamboo pole.After a certain period of time, all these things become overgrown with algae.
