Golden algae

Golden algae are a diverse group of mostly freshwater protists, many of which photosynthesize using pigments that give them a golden or yellow-brown color.

Stramenopiles: A major eukaryotic lineage that includes brown algae, diatoms, and several groups of heterotrophic protists. Golden algae belong to this broad lineage, alongside diatoms and brown algae.
Photosynthesis: The process by which organisms convert light energy into chemical energy, commonly using carbon dioxide and water. Many golden algae use photosynthesis to make organic matter from light and carbon dioxide.
Freshwater ecology: The study of interactions among organisms and environments in inland waters. Golden algae influence primary production and microbial food webs in lakes and ponds.
Diatom: A photosynthetic stramenopile whose cell wall is a distinctive silica shell called a frustule. Diatoms share golden pigments and habitats with golden algae but have distinctive silica frustules.
Chrysophyceae: A class of mostly unicellular stramenopiles commonly called golden algae. This class contains many organisms conventionally identified as golden algae.
Mixotrophy: A nutritional strategy combining photosynthesis with uptake or ingestion of organic nutrients. Some golden algae supplement photosynthesis by consuming bacteria or dissolved organic compounds.
Phytoplankton: Microscopic, photosynthetic organisms that drift in aquatic environments. Many golden algae contribute to the photosynthetic plankton of freshwater habitats.
Haptophyte: A diverse eukaryotic algal lineage that includes coccolithophores and Prymnesium. Prymnesium is a haptophyte, not a chrysophyte, despite its common name golden alga.
Fucoxanthin: A brown-gold carotenoid pigment found in many algae, where it broadens light absorption for photosynthesis. This pigment contributes to the characteristic coloration of many golden algae.
Phagotrophy: A form of nutrition in which a cell engulfs particles or other cells. Engulfing bacteria lets some golden algae obtain nutrients when light is limited.

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