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Algae Definition

Algae are organisms similar to plants, growing in water, that produce their own food. For example, algae go through photosynthesis and are eaten by shrimp.

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Ecosystems

LESSON MATERIALSmove

Fun Facts

  • Fertilizer flowing into oceans can lead to blooms of algae, which can kill fish.
  • Algae have no leaves, stems or roots.
  • Algae are part of both freshwater and saltwater ecosystems.

Why Do We Need To Know About Algae

Learning about algae helps us understand how nature works and why it’s important to keep things balanced. Algae are really important in water because they affect everything from the air we breathe to the health of fish and other sea animals. Knowing about algae is useful for jobs that help the environment, like studying the ocean or protecting plants and animals. Itā€™s important to know how things we do, like using too much fertilizer, can cause big problems in the water with too much algae.

Also, algae are found in lots of places, not just the ocean. This shows how they can be used in different ways, such as making gardens better or in science projects. Understanding how algae help in nature helps people who design gardens, educational tools, or eco-friendly projects to make healthy and natural environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is an ecosystem?
Ecosystems range from the size of your backyard to an entire ocean.
How do the components of Dr. Jeffā€™s ecosphere interact to help each other survive?
In the enclosed ecosphere, the algae uses sunlight to grow. The algae is then eaten by the shrimp. The shrimpā€™s poop provides food for bacteria which convert the poop to nutrients that help the algae to grow. Itā€™s a cycle!
Why would the shrimp in the ecosphere die if there was no sunlight?
The shrimp in the ecosphere depend on the algae for food. If there was no sunlight, the algae would die, which leaves no food for the shrimp.
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