What is algae?

Plants

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by Brian Griffin (whyzz writer) >> more about the author

Algae are a type of living thing that usually live in really wet environments, like the ocean. They are a little bit like plants. They take energy from the sun and use it to make food, just like plants do! The difference between algae and plants, is that plants have a lot more distinct parts, like roots, petals, stems, and leaves. In this way, algae are a lot simpler. They tend to just have one body part. It could look like a leaf, like moss, or like slime!

You're probably familiar with some algae and don't even know it! One very common type is found at the beach: seaweed.

Algae come in a big variety of shapes and sizes, from specs, so tiny that you need a microscope to see them, to giant kelp, which is seaweed that can grow to over 200 feet long!

Algae at Home

Is there algae in your house? There probably is. You just might not realize it. One type of algae called "carrageenan" is a common ingredient in a lot of food and household products. (Make sure you only eat the food, not the household products).

It's found in ice cream, in soy milk, in shampoos, in pudding, in yogurt, and pet food! Look at the ingredients of food and other household products in your home. Is carrageenan on the list? How much algae is in your home?