Algae possess many properties that make them similar to plants:
-some algae are autotrophs and perform photosynthesis like plants
- they produce oxygen like plants
-Some contain the pigment chlorophyll like plants
-Some types of algae contain structures similar to those found in plants
Although there are some similarities to plants, there are also some differences:
-some algae are unicellular unlike plants
-the cellular structure of some types of algae is vastly different than that of plants
-some types of algae can be heterotrophs unlike plants
Algae have many uses for humans and in the environment:
-we use some types of algae for food
-some types of algae produce oxygen through photosynthesis
-some types of algae act as a food source for other animals in a food web
-some types of algae are used in cleaning or cosmetic products
