Question

What are the three benefits of Algae?

Answer 1

Hint: Algae are a group of mainly aquatic, photosynthetic, and nucleus-bearing organisms, which lack the true stems, leaves, roots, and specialized multicellular reproductive structures of plants. The term ‘algae’ covers several organisms, which are capable of producing oxygen via photosynthesis. Though they are not in close relation, specific features unite them, which distinguish them from the land plants.

Complete answer:
                                                         Fig: Health Benefits of Algae

There are diverse uses of algae, which perform half of the total carbon dioxide fixation on the earth via photosynthesis. They act as the primary producers in aquatic habitats.
The three main benefits of algae are as follows:
1. Food source – Numerous species of marine algae like Laminaria, Sargassum, and Porphyra are eligible to be edible with Spirulina and Chlorella as a rich source of proteins. Hence, they are used as food supplements. In addition, they are grown as animal feed. It has several micronutrients, which enrich existing animal feed. Algae possess a whole amino acid profile, supporting human metabolic processes, which typical plants may not do. They have trace elements and minerals, which are essential for optimal health.
2. Commercial importance – Agar, which is obtained from Gelidium and Gracilaria, is useful in the production of ice cream and jellies. Carrageenin obtained from the red algae is used as an emulsifier in paints, chocolate, and toothpaste.
Algae are used to create plastics in an environment-friendly way. Using sunlight and wastewater, companies have started producing environment-friendly water bottles from algae, coining them as ‘green plastics’.
In addition, microalgae culture is used as a tertiary biotreatment step for wastewater treatment. It has the ability to produce biomass, which utilizes phosphorus and inorganic nitrogen from the environment in the growth process.
Medicine – Red algae like Corallina are used for the treatment of worm infections.

Note:
The habitat distribution is based on the pigment they possess. They have also been used as a biological indicator, as species like Chlorella and Euglena are used to check water pollution. Algae are significant components in fish farming as they aid in the fish production process. They are also used as a liquid fertilizer, which enhances the depleting level of nitrogen present in the soil.