Diatoms

Diatomaceous algae grow in sea and fresh water, as well as on moist soil. Yellowish brown photosynthetic pigments impart a brown color to these plants. The peculiarity of these algae is that their cells are protected from the outside by a hard shell - a frustula (shell). Plants grow both singly and in colonies. They feed mainly on organic substances in the environment.

Diatom algae have a unique structure. Their cells consist of two valves (epithets and hypotheses). The walls of the frustules are equipped with pores through which the metabolism takes place with the external environment. Some plants that have a slot-like opening along the shell, can move along the substrate with the help of mucus.

Algae reproduce, like all living organisms, by division. Getting a part of the mother's shell, the daughter cell begins to grow actively. However, at the same time, the old frustule grabs a new one with its ends. Since the solid cell membranes are practically incapable of subsequent growth, the algae noticeably grow smaller in the process of reproduction. However, due to the formation of auxospores, the contents of plant cells can escape from the shell and begin a new division. In this case, the young generation of diatoms will be much larger than the previous one.

Types of algae:

• Melozira. This species lives both in sea water and in fresh water bodies. Their food is provided through the process of photosynthesis. These diatoms are mainly used for biological analysis of water, which determines the degree of pollution of the reservoir.
• Gomponema. Plants of this species grow in clean water. They attach themselves to other algae or various objects located at the bottom and create their colonies. This species is unpretentious to temperature conditions. For mollusks, these algae are a nutritious valuable material.
• Pleurosigma. These plants live in brackish marine waters, where they serve as food for young fish.
• The Sanhedra. Diatoms of this group are unicellular plants. They create colonies, reminiscent of their form gathered in bundles of fans. As their "master" they choose green algae or plankton. The environment of the boreal habitat is a river with a slow current and standing ponds. This species is not suitable for feeding fish.
• Navicula. These algae can be found everywhere. They appear on the muddy bottom of fresh water bodies, on moist rocks and soil cover.
• Pinurnaria. Diatom algae of this genus are found on muddy areas of water bodies and rice fields. Due to their high resistance to temperature changes, they live in almost every corner of the planet. The leaves of the plant cells are very well preserved in the ooze. Due to this feature of the population, pinurnaria are highly viable.

Seaweed kelp grows in the Far East and the coast of the northern seas. Their length can be from 2 to 6 meters, and width - up to 35 centimeters. For its life, the plant chooses a rocky soil. Depending on the climate conditions, the life span of the algae is from 2 to 4 years.

Laminaria reproduces by spores, from which male and female sprouts are formed. They form gametes (sex cells). After the fertilization is carried out, a young spore-bearing kelp emerges from the ovum.

Algae is widely used in medicine, cooking and cosmetology.

The thallus of kelp is used for food. From the plant, you can get great salads, soups, bread, sweets. In cosmetology, oils and algae extracts are used. The presence of an organic compound of iodine allows the use of laminaria for medicinal purposes. The plant promotes protein assimilation, assimilation of calcium, phosphorus, iron, increases the tone of blood vessels.