algae ( plural for alga )

Pronunciation key ( al′jē )

al•gae

n.pl.

[singular alga (-ge); pl. of L. alga seaweed].

A group of eucaryotic organisms which lack multicellular sexual organs containing chlorophyl and having no true root, stem or leaf. Algae are found in water or damp places and include seaweeds, pond scum, et cetera. The blue-green algae are photosynthetic procaryotes.

References and Further Reading

Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1955

Biology of Plants, Fourth Edition, Worth Publishers Inc., Stanford University, Peter H. Raven and Helena Curtis, ©1971

Zoology Quest: Algae and Reproduction