Introduction to Chrysophytes
Filamentous Algae Colony
Chrysophytes are plant-like protists that can be found in marine and freshwater environments which are often low in calcium. There are three main types of chrysophytes: diatoms (bacillariophyta), golden-brown algae (chrysophyceae), and yellow-green algae (xanthophyceae). Although many are unicellular and free swimming, some chrysophytes, like the dynobryon above, join together and form colonies, like the filamentous algae colony to the right.
There are over 1000 described species of Chrysophytes, and, because there are so many species, there is no common cell structure shared by them. Some species have cell walls made of cellulose strengthened by silica compounds, while others are amoeboid without any cell walls.
There are over 1000 described species of Chrysophytes, and, because there are so many species, there is no common cell structure shared by them. Some species have cell walls made of cellulose strengthened by silica compounds, while others are amoeboid without any cell walls.