Here's a breakdown of key features:
Defining characteristics:
* Stramenopiles: Hairy flagella, usually with one smooth and one hairy flagellum.
* Pigments: Most possess chlorophyll a and c, giving them a golden-brown color, although some species are colorless.
* Cell walls: Many have cell walls made of cellulose, but some lack cell walls.
* Reproduction: Can reproduce both sexually and asexually.
* Diversity: A vast group with diverse forms and lifestyles.
Key examples of stramenopiles:
* Diatoms: Unicellular algae with intricate silica shells. Important primary producers in marine ecosystems.
* Brown algae: Multicellular seaweeds that can form large kelp forests.
* Oomycetes: Water molds, often parasitic on plants.
* Golden algae: A diverse group of freshwater and marine algae.
Overall, stramenopiles are a significant group of organisms, playing crucial roles in various ecological systems, including primary productivity in aquatic environments, and serving as decomposers and pathogens.