Algae

:This article is about an organism. See algae programming language for a programming language in computing.

Algae and symbioses

Algae frequently form part of a symbiosis with other organisms. In these symbioses, the algae photosynthesise and supply photosynthates to their host. The host organism is then capable of deriving some or all of its energy requirements from the alga. Examples include:

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• lichens - a fungus is the host, usually with a green alga or a cyanobacterium as the symbiont. Both fungi and algae found in lichens are capable of living independantly.
• corals - several algae form symbioses (zooxanthellae) with corals. Notable amongst these is the dinoflagellate Symbiodinium, found in many hard corals. The loss of Symbiodinium, or other zooxanthellae, from the host leads to coral bleaching.