Difference between Algae and Fungi
Algae
Algae are mostly aquatic occurring both in fresh water and in sea. There are about 25,000 species of algae.
Algae are classified in various ways. Based on the nature of photosynthetic pigments, algae are divided into three groups. They are Rhodophyta, Phaeophyta and Chlorophyta.
Examples: Chlamydomonas, Spirogyra, Cladophora, Volvox, Gelidium, Fucus, and Chlorella
The branch of botany which deals with the study of algae is called Phycology.
Best Books- Algae
Fungi
Fungi are chlorophyll less thallophytes. They exhibit heterotrophic mode of nutrition. There are 40,000 known species of fungi. They include moulds and mushroom (Agaricus).
Based on the particular life cycle involved, the fungi are classified into four groups.
They are : Zygomycetes, Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes, and Fungi imperfecti.
Examples: Rhizopus, Pencillium, Morchella, Yeast, and Agaricus
The branch of botany deals with the study of fungi is called mycology.
Difference Between Algae and Fungi
(Algae vs Fungi)
Fungi
1. Fungi generally grow in dark and dim light.
2. The fungi grow in a wide variety of habitats; as parasites in the tissue of plants and animals causing diseases; as saprophytes in decaying organic matter in the soil or water.
3. The fungi lack chlorophyll
4. Lacking chlorophyll, the fungi are unable to synthesize their own organic food. They get it from external sources either by living as parasites or saprophytes. So they are known as heterotrophic mode of nutrition.
5. The fungi thallus is known as mycelium, is composed of psuedoparenchyma. The unit of mycelium is known as hyphae.
6. The fungal cell wall is made up of chitin, chemically
7. Reserve food- Glycogen
8. There is gradual and progressive simplification and ultimate elimination of the sexual apparatus from lower to higher forms.
Algae
1. The algae usually grow in habitats where light is available.
2. The algae grow in water or damp soil and sometimes as epiphytes.
3. The algae possess chlorophyll which in some of them is masked by other pigments such as brown, red, etc.
4. With the help of chlorophyll, the algae are able to synthesize their own food materials and thus are called autotrophic, in their mode of nutrition.
5. The algal thallus (plant body) is composed of the true parenchyma cells.
6. The cell wall of algae is consists of cellulose.
7. Reserve food- starch
8. The sexual apparatus increases in complexity from the simple to the higher forms.
Useful Links
- Economic Importance of Algae
- Major Differences.com
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