Question

Algae play a crucial role in the marine ecosystem.
Choose the appropriate justification for this statement.

A) Algae are the decomposers present in the marine ecosystem; any damage to them could cause imbalance in the entire marine ecosystem.

B) Algae are the primary consumers in the marine ecosystem; any damage to the primary consumers can cause imbalance in the entire marine ecosystem.

C) Algae are the primary producers of food in the marine ecosystem; any damage to the primary producers can cause imbalance in the entire marine ecosystem.

Answer 1

Algae basically are plants. Some of the fishes feed off of algae in the marine system. With that in mind, choose the best answer.

Answer 2

What do algae feed off of? What feeds off of algae?

Answer 3

b

Answer 4

@lowg233

Nice try, but that is incorrect.

Answer 5

The answer would be C

Answer 6

Okay, I cannot help it. In no way are algae "basically plants", but a lot of algae do photosynthesis, some in a way highly similar to plants.

Answer 7

@mrdoldum

As you can clearly see, the algae are of the plant kingdom. They do not have roots, but they do share common structures which is used to CLASSIFY them as part of the plant kingdom.

And by common structures I mean they need to photosynthesize. Both are eukaryotes and go through the same life cycle. Although I didn't word it correctly, it doesn't change which answer is correct.

They are technically not plants but are part of the plant kingdom. I didn't phrase it properly and didn't use the right words. Either way, it doesn't change the fact that they are primary producers and that the answer is C.

Try to control your passion, why don't ya?

Cheers.

Answer 8

@inexilewetrust I never said they were not related to plants, nor that they are outside the Archaeplastida (old rank name Plantae). They groups are basically:

There are major differences, including the type of chlorophyl used to capture the energy from photons. Red algae, in particular, are very different than plants. They lack a chlorophyl endoplasmic reticulum, and have unstacked thylakoids. Maybe the most distinct algae are the glaucophytes. The membrane in the chloroplasts (actually called cyanelles) of glaucophytes have an amazing feature, it is contains peptidoglycan—the chemical in the cell walls of prokaryotes. To further complicate the use of photosynthesis as a trait, there are members of different Kingdoms that have chloroplasts and can photosynthesize (eg, euglinids).

They do all have a unique life cycle (alternation of generations), but red algae may go through 3 not the 2 unique generations in plants. As for the eukaryote bit, so what? I'm a eukaryote, and so are, for an example, Fungi.

You are right that what you said does not change the question, nor the answer. I take umbrage with being told to "control my passion". This is a site for learning and I see no reason why ambiguous statements should not be clarified, nor why anyone should have to control their passion for learning.

Finally, while I do not think the spirit of what I said was wrong, I will admit that it could be viewed as pedantic and condescending. I do apologize for the tone of the comment.

Answer 9

@mrdoldum

I apologize for offending you in that way. I read it as you were condescending and shot a sarcastic remark in telling you to control your passion. By passion, I meant anger. I do agree that the first comment was and is a bit ambiguous and could have misled the person who asked the question.