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Tag: marine algae

Potatoes or brains?

Potatoes or brains?

The term “seaweed” refers to a group of marine organisms called macroalgae. Many people think of them as plants, but while they do share some similarities (e.g., photosynthesis), seaweeds actually belong to an entirely different kingdom: Protista. The larger group of macroalgae called seaweeds are further classified into red, green and brown alga. One of the easiest brown seaweeds to identify is the sea potato (Leathesia difformis): a yellowish-brown, lumpy sac-like seaweed, often with various dips, divots and furrows when…

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Knotted wrack (Ascophyllum nodosum)

Knotted wrack (Ascophyllum nodosum)

Many people think of seaweeds as simply plants that live in the sea. While many types of seaweed do have structures resembling the roots, stems and leaves of plants, and seaweeds do photosynthesize, technically seaweeds fall into an entirely different kingdom: Protista. Often referred to more scientifically as marine algae, seaweeds lack the specialized tissues found in plants responsible for transporting food and water.  In most field guides, seaweeds are divided into three main groups: green, brown and red. These…

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