Question

Which characteristic identifies brown algae?

Answer 1

Phaeophyta (Brown Algae): Characteristics

Phaeophyta are the most complex forms of algae. The cell walls are composed of cellulose and alginic acid (a complex polysaccharide). Unlike green algae or Cholorophyta, they lack true starch. The food reserves contain sugar, higher alcohol and other complex forms of polysaccharides. The members of phaeophyta belonging to Laminarales are called kelps.

Kelps are the only algae with a significant internal tissue differentiation. Though true conductive tissues like xylem and phloem are absent, kelps show some sort of conductive tissues. Speaking about the reproduction of phaeophyta, they can reproduce by means of both sexual and asexual means. Higher phaeophyta have life cycle consisting of both haploid and diploid stages, referred to as an alternation of generation. The thallus representing haploid stage and diploid stage may be similar (isomorphic) or different (hreteromorphic).