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what is red algae?
Red Algae are also known as Rhodophyta. They are basically marine in their habitat and are autotrophic. They do not have motile stage. They can be unicellular, filamentous or ribbon shape. Some of them are macroscopic. They are known as red algae due to their red color. Red color is provided by formation of Phycoerythrin. It absorbs mainly blue green wavelength which can reach deep in the water. Their cell wall is made up of phycocolloids which are made up of cellulose and pectic compounds mainly. Agar and funori are important phycocolloids.
Red algae are important members of coral reefs. Red algae are unusual among the algae because they can include in their cell walls calcium carbonate which makes the plants hard and resistant to wear. Red algae that grow this way are referred to as "coralline" algae, because they are hard like corals. Example: Pterocladia sp


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