What is the structure of the kelp?

Answer 1

Seaweeds' appearance somewhat resembles non-arboreal terrestrial plants.

• Thallus: the algal body
  • lamina: a flattened structure that is somewhat leaf-like
    • sorus: spore cluster
    • on Fucus, air bladders: float-assist organ (on blade)
    • on kelp, floats: float-assist organ (between lamina and stipe)
  • stipe: a stem-like structure, may be absent
  • holdfast: specialized basal structure providing attachment to a surface, often a rock or another alga.
  • haptera: finger-like extensions of holdfast anchoring to benthic substrate

The stipe and blade are collectively known as the frond.

Answer 2

Sea weeds are algae. The roman word algae meant seaweed.

Major differences from terrestrial include;

o the lack of a rooting system, although many have a holdfast to attach them to a solid substrate. [And the holdfasts embody a unique ecology in their structure] And some floating seaweeds make do with a bladder float system to keep them in the range of sunlight;

o the lack of a vascular system to transport material throughout the plant; Seaweeds demand a salt wateror at least brackish environment;

o but like terrestrial plants, they demand sunlight for photosynthesis (alge invented photosynthesis);

o Are generally without organization.

Seaweeds come in three varieties, brown, red, and green.

Some consider that all land plants are descended from the green seaweeds, but evidence is not perfect. But lichens, fresh-water algae, and slimes have some similarities.

Terrestrial plants (ignoring the lower beings such as lichens, mosses, and ferns)

o have a vascular system for transporting nutrients etc;

o have discrete seed;

o by and large are intolerant of salty environment;

o with rare exceptions, are fixed in place;

o are well organized with separation of function such as transpiration, seed forming, (flowering in recent times), a protective bark, a rooting system for extracting minerals etc, and associated biota such as nitrifying bacteria.

This is far from complete.

Answer 3

Holdfast