Classification of Algae, Economic, and Ecological Significance, Bryophytes Overview

Algae, classified into green, brown, and red types, play crucial roles in food, industry, and ecology. Green algae are significant in symbiotic relationships, while red and brown algae provide commercial products. Algae are vital producers in aquatic ecosystems, contributing to ecological balance. Bryophytes, like mosses, possess amphibious characteristics and have economic value as a source of alternative energy.

• Algae Classification
• Economic Significance
• Ecological Importance
• Bryophytes Overview
• Aquatic Ecosystems

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1. Abhipedia IAS Environment & Ecology CLASSIFICATION OF LIFE-3 (PLANT AND ANIMAL KINGDOM) Pritam Sharma Abhimanu IAS ABHIMANU IAS : COMPLETE GENERAL STUDIES PRE CUM MAINS COURSE CALL 7347432666, MAIL AT INFO@ ABHIMANU.COM.. 1

2. Abhipedia IAS THE ALGAE They are exclusively aquatic in nature, both fresh water and marine and indeed, are the largest phtosynthesizers on the planet earth. On the basis of the dominant pigment present in them, the algae are being classified into the following three classes: The Grass green algae ..with chlorophyll as the dominant pigment The Brown Algae ..with dominant brown coloring pigment called fucoxanthine. The Red Algae ..with dominant Red coloring pigment called phycoerythrin. ABHIMANU IAS : COMPLETE GENERAL STUDIES PRE CUM MAINS COURSE CALL 7347432666, MAIL AT INFO@ ABHIMANU.COM.. 2

3. Abhipedia IAS ECONOMIC AND ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF ALGAE 1. As food: In Japan, a red algae called Porphyra is used profusely as flavoring agent in soups and salads besides being used in a food item called as Amori or Nori. Similarly, in Japan or other neighboring countries, the brown alga called Ulva, Sargassum, Laminaria etc are being used as salad so much so that Ulva is there commonly called as Sea lettuce. Laminaria is commonly harvested for Iodine mineral. Two famous red algae named Gelidium and Gracilaria are a source of a jelly like substance called as agar-agar that is used in the manufacture of ice cream 2. In Industry: Algin, carrageenin and agar-agar, the cell wall derivatives of some red & brown algae have a great commercial significance such as algin is used in vulcanization, carrageenin in cosmetics and boot polishes etc. ABHIMANU IAS : COMPLETE GENERAL STUDIES PRE CUM MAINS COURSE CALL 7347432666, MAIL AT INFO@ ABHIMANU.COM.. 3

4. Abhipedia IAS ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF ALGAE The ecological significance of algae is in their being the main producers in an aquatic ecosystem as they along with other algae constitute the main flora of both fresh water or marine ecosystem under the name of phytoplanktons. Green algae are known to exist in some of the most significant symbiotic associations with Fungi called as Lichens. These Lichens are known to have a great ecological significance in their being the most notable pollution indicators. Since, they are highly sensitive to air pollutants like sulphur dioxide. These Lichens are also well known for their role in ecological succession as they are the pioneers in xerosere that is succession on land. ABHIMANU IAS : COMPLETE GENERAL STUDIES PRE CUM MAINS COURSE CALL 7347432666, MAIL AT INFO@ ABHIMANU.COM.. 4

5. Abhipedia IAS THE BRYOPHYTES ( MOSSES) Since these plants are adapted to both aquatic and terrestrial environment therefore, they are appropriately referred to as the Amphibians of the Plant kingdom. Their body structure is still thalloid like algae. Their economic significance is not of the scale of algae except that some Bryophytes like peat moss is a known source of energy on account of its very high calorific value of around 3300 calories per gram, a value that is far greater than the wood. Secondly, the bryophytes are known for their capacity of holding water in their body, a quality which is exploited for shipping across the live plant materials over large distances. ABHIMANU IAS : COMPLETE GENERAL STUDIES PRE CUM MAINS COURSE CALL 7347432666, MAIL AT INFO@ ABHIMANU.COM.. 5

6. Abhipedia IAS THE PTERIDOPHYTES (FERNS) Described as the Snakes & Lizards of the Plant Kingdom. They became the first ever terrestrial or land plants or so called the first ever Vascular plants, developing Xylem and Phloem tissue in them. In terms of their economic significance, some of them are being used as pesticides like Lycopodium. The dried and powdered leaves of Lycopodium that contain the alkaloids are commonly used as pesticides in some parts of the Eastern Europe. A fern named Anthoceros hosts BGA, Nostoc inside it and is used as biofertilizer. Similarly, another fern named Azolla is also known to host BGA, Anabaena that fixes nitrogen from the air and thus making Azolla being used as a biofertilizer. Besides this, some of them are also used as ornamental plants. ABHIMANU IAS : COMPLETE GENERAL STUDIES PRE CUM MAINS COURSE CALL 7347432666, MAIL AT INFO@ ABHIMANU.COM.. 6

7. Abhipedia IAS For example, a fern plant called Ophioglossum also called as Adder s tongue fern is the only living species that has the highest chromosome number in the entire living world. Its diploid i.e. 2n chromosome number is 1262 and haploid chromosome number i.e. is 631. Similarly, Adiantum is a fern plant that is known after an epithet of Walking fern because, its leaves on striking soil gives off roots and thus makes a new plant and hence, the name walking fern is given to it. Adiantum is also noted for having very beautiful leaves and thus is also called as Maiden hair fern. Equisetum is a fern which appears morphologically as a horse tail and hence, the name horse tail is given to it. It also holds great economic significance as it used as an indicator of Gold. Finally, ferns like Lycopodium and Selaginella are of great medicinal value . ABHIMANU IAS : COMPLETE GENERAL STUDIES PRE CUM MAINS COURSE CALL 7347432666, MAIL AT INFO@ ABHIMANU.COM.. 7

8. Abhipedia IAS THE GYMNOSPERMS In terms of evolution, the Gymnosperms evolved on the planet earth after the Pteridophytes. They became the first truly seeded plants although without developing a fruit thereby making their seeds naked. This justifies the name, Gymnosperm given to them; Gymnos= naked and Sperma= seeds. Worlds oldest and tallest plants fall in the category of Gymnosperms for example, Sequoia wellingtonia, commonly called as red wood tree is the world s tallest plant with a height of over 400 feet and is situated in the Red wood park, California, USA. These plants do not exist as herbs but only as woody trees or shrubs. ABHIMANU IAS : COMPLETE GENERAL STUDIES PRE CUM MAINS COURSE CALL 7347432666, MAIL AT INFO@ ABHIMANU.COM.. 8

9. Abhipedia IAS Another characteristic morphological feature of Gymnosperms is that they exhibit a xerophytic character that is an adaptation in that their leaves are in the form of needles with thick cuticle and sunken stomata so as to minimize the transpiration loss of water. Some gymnosperms like Pines and Oaks are also known to host mycorrhizal associations in their roots which impart them a selective advantage of survival under nutrient and water deficient soils. Being devoid of flowers, their sex organs are located in specialized cones distinguished as male and female cones respectively. After fertilization, the seeds are formed in female cones which upon maturity release into the environment and transported over large distances through wind. ABHIMANU IAS : COMPLETE GENERAL STUDIES PRE CUM MAINS COURSE CALL 7347432666, MAIL AT INFO@ ABHIMANU.COM.. 9

10. Abhipedia IAS ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE OF GYMNOSPERMS 1. 1. As a source of Timber: Almost 75% of the world s timber is produced by the Gymnosperms. As such various species of Pinus are very important timber trees say for example, P.roxburghii (Chir) and P.wallichiana (Kail) are employed in making railway sleepers. 2. 2. As a source of pulp in paper industry: The Conifers like Spruce (Picea sps.) are an important source of pulp wood used in paper manufacturing. 3. 3. As a source of Resin: It is a combination of a liquid solvent called as turpentine and a waxy substance called as rosin. Turpentine has a great commercial significance for being used as a solvent in paints and varnishes. 4. It also finds an extensive use in the manufacture of deodorants and shaving creams and lemonade.

11. Abhipedia IAS GYMNOSPERMS IN MEDICINE A very effective anti cancer drug called Taxol is being derived from a gymnosperm Taxus brevifolia, commonly known as Yew plant. Taxol has a unique property of freezing the cancer cells early in the process of their division leading to their death. Gymnosperm called as Ephedra is a source of a substance called as Ephedrine that is widely used in the treatment of asthma as well as other respiratory problems. It is also a common ingredient of almost all cough syrups. ABHIMANU IAS : COMPLETE GENERAL STUDIES PRE CUM MAINS COURSE CALL 7347432666, MAIL AT INFO@ ABHIMANU.COM.. 11

12. Abhipedia IAS THE ANGIOSPERMS- FRUIT BEARING PLANTS They are commonly known as flowering plants and in the plant kingdom, are the highly evolved group of plants because they got a fruit in which the seeds are enclosed. The sex organs of these plants are located in a flower known as Stamens and Carpels which produce male and female gametes respectively. The distinguishing feature of Angiosperms is that they exhibit a phenomenon of double fertilization, the product of which is the embryo and endosperm. The Angiosperms are known for being classified into a number of families with Plants included in each family have their own economic significance. They survive under diverse habitats and diverse forms right from microscopic ABHIMANU IAS : COMPLETE GENERAL STUDIES PRE CUM MAINS COURSE CALL 7347432666, MAIL AT INFO@ ABHIMANU.COM.. 12

13. Abhipedia IAS Wolfia to Raflessia which is the largest known flower. Nelumbo (Lotus), the national flower of India is a well known aquatic Angiosperm (Hydrophyte). Their economic significance is unparalleled for being a source of food crops to drugs of diverse kinds. For example, an alkaloid named aconite, used against high blood pressure, is extracted from the roots of a plant named, Aconitum. A famous homeopathic medicine named pulsatilla, used for curing menstrual troubles, is derived from Anemone pulsatilla. Ranunculus, is used against piles. Santonin is prepared from the flowers of Artemisia, used for removing worms from the body. Atropa belladonna, a plant, roots of which are used for deriving belladonna plasters. Atropine, an alkaloid extracted from this plant, is popularly used as a sedative drug. ABHIMANU IAS : COMPLETE GENERAL STUDIES PRE CUM MAINS COURSE CALL 7347432666, MAIL AT INFO@ ABHIMANU.COM.. 13

14. Abhipedia IAS A plant named, Henbane, whose leaves, yield an alkaloid called hyoscyamine, is used as a sedative narcotic including the treatment of Asthma and whooping cough. There are well known timber yielding Plants too such as Teak, known as green gold of India, Sheesham, Indian red wood and Kala Sheesham commonly called Indian Rose wood are other noteworthy examples. A plant is known as Abrus precatorius whose seeds are used as Jeweller s weight because seed s weight is exactly equal to one ratti. A plant named Dalhousiea bracteata whose leaves are used as the wrappers for Birees, commonly known as country cigarette. The list is endless ABHIMANU IAS : COMPLETE GENERAL STUDIES PRE CUM MAINS COURSE CALL 7347432666, MAIL AT INFO@ ABHIMANU.COM.. 14

15. Abhipedia IAS KINGDOM ANIMALIA ANIMAL world is not only vast but quite diverse as well. As on date, over a million species or varieties of fauna have been identified, reported, named and known to us. This indicates that there is indeed a large scale and gradient of diversity in animal life that might be present on this earth. All animals in kingdom animalia are essentially multicellular & Eukaryotic in nature and are thus described as Metazoans. Noted that the entire animal kingdom is classified into 11 major phyla of which 10 are from non-chordates and only 1 belongs to chordates. The characteristic feature of all animals is that they all are noted for their body symmetry which may be radial or bilateral and hence two main divisions. ABHIMANU IAS : COMPLETE GENERAL STUDIES PRE CUM MAINS COURSE CALL 7347432666, MAIL AT INFO@ ABHIMANU.COM.. 15

16. Abhipedia IAS CLASSIFICATION OF ANIMALS Entire animal kingdom is classified into following phyla: 1.Phylum Porifera--- very primitive among all animals in kingdom animalia for example, Euplectella and Euspongia. 2.Phylum Cnidaria and Ctenophora---division Radiata due to radial body symmmetry. Following phyla Animals, all have bilateral symmetry. Phylum Platyhelminthes, commonly as: Flat worms. Phylum Aschelminthes, commonly as: Round or thread worms. Phylum Annelida, commonly as: Segmented worms (Earth worms) Phylum Arthropoda, commonly as jointed legged- invertebrates.

17. Abhipedia IAS Phylum Mollusca: soft bodied invertebrates such as snails, bivalves Phylum Echinodermata: spiny skinned invertebrates such as star fish. Phylum Chordata: All vertebrates right from fishes to mammals (including man). The chordates on the other hand may broadly be classified into Pisces and Teterapoda. The Pisces include Cartilaginous and Bony fish. Whereas, the Tetrapoda includes, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds and Mammals. The Amphibians and reptiles are cold blooded organisms and the Birds and Mammals are warm blooded in nature. Moreover, the mammals are adapted to a wide variety of habitats that may range from aerial (Bats), to aquatic (Sirens and Cetacean) to terrestrial including some primitive mammals too..

18. Abhipedia IAS Thank You ABHIMANU IAS : COMPLETE GENERAL STUDIES PRE CUM MAINS COURSE CALL 7347432666, MAIL AT INFO@ ABHIMANU.COM.. 18