Write down the characteristic features of Rhodophyceae.

Explanation

1. Rhodophyceae commonly called as red algae.
2. Mostly marine habitats.
3. The thallus is multicellular, macroscopic, and may be filamentous, ribbon-like etc.
4. Chlorophyll 'a', r-phycoerythrin and r-phycocyanin are photosynthetic pigments.
5. Asexual reproduction is by means of monospores, neutral spores and tetraspores
6. Floridean starch is the storage material
7. Sexual reproduction in oogamous.
8. Male sex organ is spermatangium producing spermatium.
9. Female sex organ is carpogonium.
10. Spermatium is carried by water and fuses with egg forming zygote.
11. Zygote undergoes meiosis forming carpospores.
12. Alternation of generation is seen. Example: Ceramium, Gelidium and Gigartina.