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A comparison of algal morphology with seagrass morphology:
Note that algae are relatively simple and unspecialized in
structure, possessing only a tough holdfast that assists in anchoring it to a
hard substratum. Seagrasses are more closely
related to terrestrial plants and, like terrestrial plants, possess specialized
tissues that perform specific tasks within each plant. Seagrasses
possess true roots that not only hold plants in place, but also are specialized
for extracting minerals and other nutrients from the sediment. All algal cells
possess photosynthetic structures capable of utilizing sunlight to produce
chemical energy. In seagrasses, however, chloroplasts occur only in leaves, thus
confining photosynthesis to leaves. Further, algae are able to take up minerals
and other nutrients directly from the water column via diffusion. Finally, while
most algae lack specialized reproductive structures, most seagrasses have
separate sexes and produce flowers and seeds, with embryos developing inside
ovaries.
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