unicellular or multicellular organisms formerly classified as plants, occurring in fresh or salt water or moist ground, that have chlorophyll and other pigments but lack true stems, roots, and leaves. Algae, which are now regardedas protoctists, include the seaweeds, diatoms, and spirogyra
Derived forms
algal (ˈælɡəl)
adjective
Word origin
C16: from Latin, plural of alga seaweed, of uncertain origin
Examples of 'alga' in a sentence
alga
It is a partnership between an alga and a fungus.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
They genetically engineered a strain of alga to produce more of the enzyme, which quadrupled its hydrogen output.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
All related terms of 'alga'
algae
Algae is a type of plant with no stems or leaves that grows in water or on damp surfaces.
brown alga
an alga of the class Phaeophyceae, usually brown owing to the presence of brown pigments in addition to the chlorophyll
red algae
the numerous algae that constitute the phylum Rhodophyta , which contain a red pigment in addition to chlorophyll . The group includes carrageen , dulse, and laver
red seaweed
the numerous algae that constitute the phylum Rhodophyta , which contain a red pigment in addition to chlorophyll . The group includes carrageen , dulse, and laver
brown algae
any algae of the phylum Phaeophyta , such as the wracks and kelps, which contain a brown pigment in addition to chlorophyll
brown seaweed
any algae of the phylum Phaeophyta , such as the wracks and kelps, which contain a brown pigment in addition to chlorophyll
green algae
the algae of the phylum Chlorophyta, which possess the green pigment chlorophyll . The group includes sea lettuce and spirogyra
blue-green algae
any of a division (Cyanophycota) of photosynthetic monerans, microorganisms that contain a blue pigment which obscures the chlorophyll ; cyanobacteria
yellow-green algae
any of a class (Xanthophyceae) of photosynthetic thallophytes that contain a yellowish or brownish pigment that obscures the chlorophyll and whose motile cells have two unequal flagella : the cell walls may contain silica
cyanobacteria
a group of photosynthetic bacteria ( phylum Cyanobacteria ) containing a blue photosynthetic pigment
cyanobacterium
a group of photosynthetic bacteria ( phylum Cyanobacteria ) containing a blue photosynthetic pigment