Page 134 - The Microworld Miracle

part, while the other portion contains RNA and color giving pig-
ments.
The kind of pigment contained by particular algae groups dif-
fers from others depending on their cell walls and mobility. Algae
containing only chlorophyll may be green or blue-green. Brown
and red algae contain not only chlorophyll but also such pigments
69
as carotene that conceal the green. Algae possess a thin and rigid
cell membranes. Some algae move with tiny hairs known as flagel-
la. The cell contains a complex nucleus. The chlorophyll is covered
in, and protected by, a special membrane that carries out the photo-
synthetic reactions with light.
Another of the important processes performed by algae is to
produce large amounts of organic substances in the water around
them, thus increasing the food available

to water-dwelling organ-
isms. Water con-
taining algae is
therefore very
well suited

THE MICROWORLD MIRACLE and turquoise, con-

Algae can be green
taining chlorophyll,
or else brown and

132 red.