Macroalgae are macroscopic eukaryotic pluricellular organisms composed of single differentiated cells able to obtain energy using chromophores.

Algae and algae products - Terms and definitions. CEN/TC 454 - Algae and algae products. 2020

Source category: Standards

Macroalgae, or seaweeds, represent a broad group of eukaryotic photosynthetic marine organisms. Unlike microalgae, they are multicellular class of algae and possess plant-like structural features that grow to large size (50 cm up to 60 m in length). They are typically comprised of a blade or lamina, the stipe, and holdfast for anchoring the entire structure to hard substrates in marine environments. The life cycles of macroalgae are complex and diverse, with different species displaying variations of annual and perennial life histories, combinations of reproductive strategies and alternation of generations.

US DOE, 2010, National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Biomass Program, Washington D.C.

Source category: Scientific & Technical Literature